Friends of the Earth: Oil companies can make it better
In a dog bites man kind of move, Friends of the Earth has issued a report in which they criticize the oil industry for not doing more to reduce their carbon footprint. The environmental organization believes that measures to increase energy efficiency - as well as forgetting about biofuels - could be the key to reducing the footprint. FotE has made a similar argument in the past. Overall, FotE says, the oil industry could reduce carbon emission by between 10.5 and 11.5 percent through the two measures. This would allow the EU to reach its target of reducing carbon emissions by 20 percent in 2020. According to Friends of the Earth, oil companies aren't telling the truth to the EU when they claim they can't reach the 2020 target, something they say to reduce legislation and increase their profits.[Source: Friends of the Earth]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
PJD 12:13PM (5/05/2008)
This is probably less of a dog bites man story than it first appears.
While it's not news that oil companies have an entrenched interest that they are acting upon to keep drivers dependent upon their product, it probably is news to many people that anywhere near 10% of the carbon intensity of petrol usage could be removed simply by measures such as flaring reduction and refinery efficiencies.
This particular report isn't calling for a reduction in driving or use of petroleum, it's simply calling for more efficient production of petroleum.
Perhaps it should be termed dog gives man sound advice about taking corporate responsibility and implementing those low hanging efficiency measures that don't impact revenues. Hopefully the man in this story will listen to reasoned barking without actually having to be bitten to take action.
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