Doctors welcome vehicle emissions proposal

Federal Government plans to bring in stricter vehicle emission targets have been welcomed by Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA).
 
The DEA said the proposed vehicle emission measures – known as the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard – are part of a range of actions needed to save lives.
 
Dr Kate Wylie, DEA’s Executive Director and a former Chair of RACGP Specific Interests Climate and Environmental Medicine, cited research suggesting vehicle emissions could be linked to more than 11,000 premature deaths in Australia each year.
 
‘Petrol vehicles release air pollutants such as fine particulate matter and nitrogen oxides that are released at face level where people live, work, go to school, and travel,’ she said, noting that children are more exposed.
 
‘Their shorter height means they’re closer to exhaust pipes, and they breathe more rapidly than adults while their lungs are still developing.’
 
The same research indicates vehicle emissions are responsible for more than 19,000 cardiovascular and respiratory hospitalisations each year.
 
Meanwhile Bloomberg described the proposed fuel efficiency standards as bringing Australia ‘in line with rules introduced in the US about 50 years ago’.
 
The new standards as they currently stand apply to new vehicles only, with the Government consultation paper highlighting the contrast to circumstances internationally.
 
‘Compared to cars in other jurisdictions, new cars supplied to Australia use more fuel per kilometre,’ its authors wrote.
 
‘Manufacturers supply cars to the Australian market that aren’t as fuel-efficient as the cars they supply to other markets. Global vehicle manufacturers are not currently offering the same range of fuel-efficient vehicles … for distribution in Australia.
 
‘In 2022, there were 500 electric vehicle [EV] models available globally, compared to 45 EV models available for sale in Australia.’
 
It is a theme also taken up by Dr Wylie.
 
‘Our vehicle emissions are significantly behind other advanced economies,’ she said.
 
‘The new standard will finally bring Australia into line with the United States, United Kingdom, EU and the OECD.
 
‘That will be good for our health, our cities and communities, the planet, and the hip pocket given cost of living pressures.’
 
The consultation document states that cars make up about 60% of transport emissions in Australia.
 
It also noted that while restrictions during the early period of the pandemic resulted in ‘a measurable decrease in transport emissions, the pre-2019 emissions trajectory has largely resumed’.
 
‘Transport is Australia’s third largest source of greenhouse gas emissions – and will soon become the largest source if nothing is done,’ its authors state.
 
According to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, the transport sector accounted for 19% of Australia’s emissions in 2022.
 
If they are approved by Parliament, the standard is expected to come into effect by January 2025.
 
A consultation on the proposal is open until 4 March, with details available on the Federal Government website.
 
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