The Declaration, entitled ‘Make Cars Green’, responds to the sharp rise of environmental and climate change concerns in global policy making and looks at ways to advance the greener motoring agenda.

FIA President Max Mosley called for a coherent international strategy to reduce both the toxic emissions and the carbon intensity of the automotive sector.

“The FIA considers that a serious rethink on fuel economy and C02 reduction is required across the motor vehicle sector worldwide. The FIA is proposing a global framework which will create a level playing field allowing manufacturers and governments across different markets and regions to work together on this problem,” he said.

For many years now, the FIA and its member automobile clubs have supported responsible motoring and played a leading role in promoting, cleaner, less carbon intensive, and more fuel efficient driving, through a range of initiatives including consumer testing, driver training and campaigns for legislative action.

However, the new declaration calls for further progress and a concerted programme of action in 2008. While 10 per cent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions are produced by road transport, the declaration acknowledges that the sector remains a fast rising contributor of CO2. Also, with the number of cars set to double to 1.2 billion by 2020, the FIA recognises that there is a pressing need to start work now to demonstrate what has already been done, and the commitments it has for the future.

One key proposal is the worldwide emissions benchmark of 140 gCO2/km for passenger cars. This would assess progress in the fuel efficiency of the global fleet of new motor vehicles and would be the means by which decision makers could work towards cost-effective environmental policies for the sector. The aim is that the global acceptance of this target could allow it to become the benchmark at which the cost effectiveness of global strategies to reduce automotive emissions through market forces can be assessed.

A range of measures are recommended for the automotive sector. Reducing the energy lost through tires, reducing dependency on fossil fuels and continuing the investment into cleaner road and vehicle technologies are at the core of the recommendations, as are calls on governments to increase the availability of tools that promote green driving, such as fiscal incentives and obligatory eco-labelling systems.  

The FIA Declration points out that it is both unfair and inefficient if the automotive sector is required to take on the main burden of emissions reduction. It urges that all sources of emissions make their appropriate contribution to the goal of avoiding dangerous climate change. It calls for a cost effective approach targeting different sectors according to their impact on the environment.

Also, there is recognition of the high impact that tourism has on the environment. Consumers are urged to try to minimise or offset their carbon footprint when planning travel abroad. The Declaration also includes a ten point guide for greener motoring. This guide offers easy to follow tips for consumers such as checking tire pressure regularly and driving in an eco-friendly manner.

Click here to download the full Declaration.