'Transport sector to have fuel efficiency standards in 2 yrs'

With the transport sector contributing nearly 15 per cent of the total CO2 emissions, the government today said this sector will have mandatory fuel efficiency standards within the next two years.

"If we really look at 2030, the contribution will be nothing less than 25 per cent of total emissions from the transport sector. Hence, there is a lot more to do in the arena," Union environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said at the convention of Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers here.

"Agreement on adoption of fuel efficiency standards is a first step and we are glad that the industry and government has come on board on the issue. Details of roadmaps will be discussed soon," he said.

 

Ramesh also viewed mandatory fuel efficiency standards as an important development against the backdrop of the forthcoming 'Copenhagen summit on Climate Change' where India can showcase its commitment to emerge with solutions to tackle global warming.

The Union Minister also informed that Bureau and Energy Efficiency (BEE) had announced mandatory standards in four major energy intensive products such as air-conditioners, refrigerators and Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs).

"We have already notified to the industries about the announcement and we hope by 2010 all such products will have to follow mandatory eco standards aimed to cut emissions, which shows our commitment to combat climate change," Ramesh said.

The Minister however disfavoured usage of land for bio-fuel purpose as being done by many industrial nations and warned that it should not be at the cost of food crops.