Lawmakers ditch life-cycle approach to transport emission tally

EU lawmakers have recently rejected the inclusion of a comprehensive life-cycle assessment approach for calculating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the transportation sector, which was part of the CountEmissionsEU proposal put forward by the European Commission in July 2023. This initiative aimed to implement a unified system for assessing emissions linked to vehicle manufacturing, maintenance, and disposal. A life-cycle assessment would have considered emissions from the extraction of raw materials through to manufacturing, usage, and eventual disposal. Lawmakers noted that while the proposal will only obligate certain companies to report their emissions (either by law or voluntarily), the lack of a complete life-cycle framework could disadvantage European manufacturers compared to their non-European counterparts, particularly in the area of battery electric vehicles. Some Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) expressed concerns that the absence of this assessment reinforces an outdated methodology, focusing solely on exhaust emissions. The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) recognized the potential of CountEmissionsEU to advance emission reductions in transport but argued that incorporating a life-cycle assessment could complicate existing legislation and hinder international coherence in standards. Advocacy groups like Transport & Environment highlighted the importance of a life-cycle assessment in fostering transparency and preventing greenwashing in the sector. The legislative proposal will undergo further evaluation by the next European Parliament, following the elections in June. In transportation, having a life-cycle assessment is crucial for creating a level playing field across the industry, particularly as sustainability considerations become paramount in policymaking. It allows for a comprehensive understanding of the environmental impact of various modes of transport and ensures that all manufacturers are held to the same standards, thereby facilitating genuine progress towards decarbonization and reducing emissions effectively.