Speaking at the AGM of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association’s (ACEA) ahead of this week’s EU conference on EU action to decarbonise the road transport sector, president Carlos Ghosn, who is also CEO of Renault, said: “As Paris and the world gear up for the COP21 global climate change conference, we must make sure that ambitious climate change policies do not conflict with the need to protect jobs and growth in Europe.”

His comments come at the same time as the launch of a study by FTI Consulting which finds that “the EU automotive industry is disproportionately affected by decarbonisation compared to other industrial and manufacturing sectors. This, combined with a multitude of competitive pressures the industry is facing, resulted in the industry losing investment and making financial losses.”

Mr Ghosn said: “No other industry sector has done as much as automotive to drive down CO2 emissions in recent years. EU political leaders should ensure equivalent conditions and targets for all industrial sectors in the future, taking actions where the greatest effects can be achieved at the lowest costs.”

The ACEA added that by 2020 average emissions of new passenger cars would need to be reduced by 39% compared to their 2005 level. This compares to 10% reduction expected from other non-ETS sectors and 21% reduction expected from ETS sectors during the same timeframe.

Mr Ghosn said that “overly ambitious targets for Europe risk creating competitive disadvantages for the EU’s industry in the global marketplace, but without commensurate benefits”.

“We believe that a balanced and comprehensive approach should make it possible to develop a policy framework that will allow us to drive down total road transport emissions further and faster,” commented Mr Ghosn.

Last week saw environmental NGO Transport & Environment (T&E) release its research showing that implementing fuel efficiency standards for new cars, vans and lorries by 2025 or earlier is essential if the EU is to meet its 2030 climate obligations.

William Todts, transport policy manager at T&E, said: “Our research shows one simple fact: without fuel efficiency standards for cars, vans and lorries, EU countries will struggle to meet their 2030 climate obligations. But if the EU sets 2025 standards for cars, vans and trucks, the climate targets could be reached in a way that is good for both the economy and the environment.”