We need to know about toxic fuels

Cut out high-carbon fuels

Through legislation Europe is trying to cut its carbon emissions from transport 6% by 2020.

In June Transport Mministers from the EU member states are will meeting to decide whether to support a proposal that would give each fuel used in the EU a specific carbon value based on its extraction, manufacture and transport to the EU. Where values are not known the EU will instigate research to find them out.

One of the sources of fuels that would be affected is tar sands. Canada has been fighting this proposal as it would show fuels from tar sands to have about 23% more carbon pollution associated with these fuels. We have been calling on the UK government to support the proposal that would effectively ban tar sands and other high carbon fuels from the EU, helping us to tackle our carbon emissions.

Why we believe fuels from tar sands are bad

Burning fuel in our cars releases about the same amount of carbon regardless of where the fuel comes from. So the burden of the EU cuts will fall on the extraction and production of the fuel.

We believe this is not compatible with importing fuel from the tar sands, as there is about 23% more carbon pollution associated with fuels made from tar sands than conventional oil.

We are campaigning with other groups, including The Co-operative Bank, for the EU to set strict fuel emission standards that would have the effect of banning high carbon fuels, such as tar sands-derived fuels, from Europe. It will also send a strong message to the rest of the world that there should be no demand for carbon-intense fuels.