April 5, 2005

Pollution Probe says auto deal to reduce greenhouse gases weak. No accountability or consequences for auto industry

Toronto, ON — Pollution Probe is calling for the federal government to initiate a publicly transparent process to design a mandatory fuel efficiency standard for the auto sector. The standard would ensure the significant reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and have real consequences for not achieving the target.

The call came on the heels of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Government of Canada and the Canadian Automotive industry to voluntarily reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

“The plan is weak,” said Ken Ogilvie, Pollution Probe’s executive director. It provides no accountability or consequences if the targets for reduced greenhouse gas emissions are not achieved. Also, the MOU contains an escape clause that allows either Party to terminate the MOU if it is “no longer desirable.”

“Public transparency for an agreement this important to Canadians is essential,” says Ogilvie. Third party verification of the GHG reductions claimed by the auto sector should be mandatory, not to be done “as necessary,” as stipulated in the current agreement. 

Pollution Probe recently published a comprehensive report on vehicle fuel efficiency that demonstrates the feasibility of making significant GHG emission reductions by the auto industry. The report can be downloaded at www.pollutionprobe.org/Publications/Air.htm.

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For more information:

Ken Ogilvie
Executive Director
416-926-1907 x231