NEW DELHI: As the ‘people’s dream car’ Nano by Tata Motors was unveiled here on Thursday, environmentalists outside the venue held a demonstration saying that increasing carbon emissions from the car industry was contributing to climate change.

Greenpeace activists demanded that carbon dioxide emission labelling on all new cars in the Indian market must be made mandatory to enable consumers to make informed and responsible buying choices.

The government should also set mandatory carbon dioxide emission standards which would require manufacturers to progressively reduce carbon dioxide emission from new cars.

China had already put in place legislation for mandatory fuel efficiency proving that it was “doable and beneficial.”

Car manufacturers had to support the process of progressive mandatory efficiency.

The real test of Indian car manufacturer’s commitment to tackle the climate change threat is in phasing out their inefficient car models and thereby making the legislation a success, Greenpeace activists said.

Rapid growth

“The car industry in India has been growing at a very rapid pace, and massive growth is anticipated in the coming years. Fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions will surge incredible, not to mention the soar in oil prices. While transitioning to alternative fuels and more efficient technologies might take a while, mandatory fuel efficiency standards need to be established now,” Greenpeace said.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/11/stories/2008011164041300.htm