NEW DELHI (AFP) — Greenpeace on Tuesday called on the Indian government to set mandatory fuel efficiency standards for cars, warning vehicle emissions will contribute significantly to climate change.
The group's warning came days ahead of an auto show beginning Thursday in New Dehi where multinational car firms will unveil new models aimed at capturing a slice of the fast-growing Indian automobile sector.
India's transport sector accounts for 18 percent of the country's emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) -- one of the greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming, the green group said in a statement.
"Automobile manufacturers pass their vehicles off as 'green' by following Euro emission standards," Greenpeace campaigner Soumyabrata Rahut said.
But these standards accounted only for certain pollutants and not CO2 emissions, she said.
The group demanded compulsory CO2 emissions labelling on all new cars in the country so consumers can be informed of a vehicle's emissions.
Greenpeace said the government should also set mandatory CO2 emission standards for the auto industry so that carmakers can progressively cut emissions.
India's rapidly growing automobile industry produces 1.5 million vehicles annually.
The New Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment warned in November that a rising number of cars meant the Indian capital was losing massive environmental gains made in 2000 when it got rid of diesel-run buses.
Environmental groups also blame a rising number of diesel cars in the country for growing pollution levels.
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