CONFÉRENCE EUROPÉENNE DES MINISTRES DES TRANSPORTS
EUROPEAN CONFERENCE OF MINISTERS OF TRANSPORT
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e-mail: ecmt.contact@oecd.org - www.oecd.org/cem/REPORT ON A DIALOGUE WITH VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS[CEMT/CM(95)5/FINAL]DECLARATION ON REDUCING CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS FROMPASSENGER VEHICLES IN ECMT COUNTRIESReport on a Dialogue with Vehicle Manufacturers, ECMT, 1996

DECLARATION ON REDUCING CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS FROM PASSENGER
VEHICLES IN ECMT COUNTRIESThe Council of the ECMT and the Vehicle Manufacturing Industry (represented by OICA andACEA), meeting in Vienna on 7-8 June, 1995, have agreed as follows:

1.

BackgroundIn the 1992 Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC), the Governments ofindustrialised countries agreed to work towards the stabilisation of greenhouse gas emissions at 1990
levels by the year 2000, and to reduce them thereafter. Although the Framework Convention does not
specify these targets at the sectoral level, it is clear that the stabilisation of transport-based greenhousegases in Europe will be required over the medium term. However, it is also recognised that theconstraints of market demands and cost-effectiveness will affect the time frame over which such a goal
can actually be realised.
Many different measures will be needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transport
sector. With direct responsibility for this sector, Transport Ministers will have a key role to play in thedesign and implementation of these measures. Because automobiles are a major source of the transport
sector's carbon dioxide emissions (the most important greenhouse gas), automobile manufacturers will
also be expected to contribute significantly to the reduction of these emissions.
ECMT Ministers and the vehicle manufacturing industry therefore agree on the need for a joint
approach to reducing CO2 emissions from automobiles. A voluntary accord between Government andIndustry is an important opportunity for each to express their fundamental interest in improving the CO2
performance of automobile construction and use.
This Declaration is one step toward that long-term goal. In moving along this path, it isrecognised that, in the early stages at least, the process of working together to achieve tangible progress
may be more important than any quantified environmental target. This Declaration is intended toaccelerate that co-operative process.

2.

Objectives
The objectives of this Declaration are:-- to substantially and continuously reduce the fuel consumption of new cars sold in ECMTcountries;-- to manage vehicle use so as to achieve tangible and steady reductions in their total CO2
emissions.

A number of governments have already introduced, or are considering introducing, CO2 targets forthe transport sector. Some are negotiating with Industry. This Declaration is not intended to limit thescope for such initiatives

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It is also recognised that fuel economy is becoming a competitive issue within industry, though thestarting points differ from country to country. Though this will influence fuel economy further action
will be required on the part of both Government and Industry if these joint objectives are to be achieved.
In some instances, the primary initiative should be taken by Industry, with support from Government. Inothers, the reverse will be true. Although the degree of responsibility will vary according to the measure
involved, each of these groups will have some role to play in the success of all measures.

3.

Measures

3.1

Government measures
Policy framework

Governments will set the broad policy framework for the transport system. This policy should be
economically-efficient and take full account of all environmental impacts.
Government will continue to use economic instruments, environmental regulations, informationand other measures to influence the market for, and to encourage the use of, fuel-efficient vehicles in asafe, fuel-conserving, manner. Government will also strive to ensure that policy measures taken in
related vehicle design areas (e.g. safety and noise) are consistent with the need to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions.
In implementing the above commitments, Government will apply the following general principles:a) Measures taken will be implemented in as cost-effective a manner as practical.
b) Government accepts that the demand for more fuel-efficient cars should come essentially fromthe consumer, operating in free markets. Government policies will therefore strive toencourage consumers to choose fuel-efficient vehicles, and to operate them in a fuel-efficientway.
c) Government will seek to avoid major disruptions in policy, aiming instead for gradual, steady,and consistent implementation, so as to decrease uncertainty in the marketplace.
d) Irrespective of the type of measure being employed, international co-ordination will bepursued, to help avoid discrimination among individual countries or firms, and to provide a
coherent message to Industry about future policy directions in Europe as a whole.
e) Government will actively consult with Industry on all significant policy initiatives taken in thepursuit of the goals contained in this Declaration.

New technologies and road traffic informatics
Government will encourage the creation and introduction of new information technologies, where
they can provide a cost-effective means to reduce congestion and related losses in fuel consumption.
The potential of integrated traffic management systems will be given special attention (e.g. increased useof public transport, combined with controlled access to city centres; road information/guidance systems;
appropriate infrastructural measures).

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Fleet maintenance/replacement
Government undertakes to develop and introduce harmonised systems of regular vehicle
inspection and maintenance, in order to make the existing automobile fleet as clean and fuel-efficient aspossible. Government also undertakes to investigate cost-effective ways of encouraging thedisposal/scrappage of the oldest, dirtiest and most fuel-inefficient vehicles, provided that this would
improve total global emissions, calculated on a full-fuel-cycle basis.

3.2

Industry measures
Fuel-efficient new cars

Industry agrees to give a strong emphasis to developing, manufacturing and marketing vehicles
with improved fuel efficiencies. As the owners and developers of car manufacturing technologies,
Industry is well-placed to promote the incorporation of new, fuel-efficient, techniques into vehicle
designs, so as to continuously and significantly improve the fuel consumption profile of the fleet.
MarketingIndustry undertakes to promote energy efficiency as a sales argument. Conversely, the concepts ofpower, acceleration, and maximum speed will not be used as major sales arguments.
Industry recognises that it occupies a special place in the transport marketplace, and therefore hasa special duty to demonstrate to consumers how its vehicles can be used in an environmentallyresponsible manner. With regard to fuel efficiency, Industry will explicitly examine the idea of an
advertising "code of practice".

3.3

Joint Government and Industry measures
MarketingBased on existing EC criteria (Directive 93/116/EC) for measuring CO2 emissions/fuelconsumption, Industry and Government undertake to examine the possibilities of, and if appropriate, todefine practical arrangements for, introducing a standardised labelling system for new cars.
Developing new technologies
Information technologies (telematics) often require new kinds of equipment for vehicles.
Manufacturers and governments will co-operate closely to define the criteria such equipment should
meet, as well as to introduce them in practice. For example, ERTICO, where some Governments andIndustry are already both represented, provides one valuable mechanism for ensuring that thistechnology can be applied efficiently.
Research and Development
Government and Industry agree that more emphasis needs to be placed on improving R&D
programmes related to CO2 emissions from cars. Both therefore undertake to work toward betterco-ordination of existing R&D efforts, especially at the European level.

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Because technology development is so crucial to future fuel efficiencies, all reasonable
opportunities to encourage joint R&D programmes between Industry and Government should be fully
explored. Existing R&D programmes of the European Union or of Industry (e.g. EUCAR), as well as
the International Energy Agency’s Implementing Agreements related to research and development
should all be exploited in this context. Both basic research and its uptake in the marketplace will beemphasized in these activities.
Information/education
Specialised information should be developed for vehicle users, vehicle dealers and importers, anddriving instructors, in order to promote fuel efficiency with regard to car purchase, use and driver
behaviour. Government and Industry agree to develop specialised education/information campaigns
aimed at these individual publics.
Other initiatives
Government and Industry agree to study the environmental value and economic feasibility offurther consumer-oriented initiatives that would help to improved driving style and fuel consumption as
well as traffic management, including, for example, econometers or on-board computers to indicate fuelconsumption, the relationship between power, speed capability and fuel economy, and fuel-conserving
traffic management measures

4.

Monitoring

Governments and Industry agree to establish an appropriate system to monitor progress toward thegoals contained in this Declaration. This monitoring system should:a) Analyse trends in the projected specific fuel consumption and/or CO2 emissions of new cars
sold in ECMT Member countries.
Beginning in 1996, data will be provided annually for each ECMT Member country, and in astandardized form, on:i) the number of new car registrations, making appropriate distinctions among vehicle
characteristics; andii) specific fuel consumption (in litres/100 kilometres) and/or CO2 emissions (in grammes perkilometre) of these cars.
b) Periodically assess the effectiveness and efficiency of measures taken by both Government andIndustry towards achieving the objectives of this Declaration.
Beginning in 1997, and continuing biannually thereafter, Government and Industry (or theIndustry Associations) will report on all measures taken in support of this Declaration,
including a qualitative evaluation of the effectiveness of these measures.
c) Periodically review the objectives of this Declaration, in the light of future developments in theinternational debate concerning climate change.

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