New Delhi: Tata Motors, the new owner of Ford's Jaguar and Land Rover (JLR), has started taking steps to reduce emissions from the two British marques to drive within the stricter norms that are expected to come in force across the European Union from 2012. Tata Motora MD Ravi Kant told TOI that a number of measures could be taken up by JLR to cut emissions. "Surely Jaguar and Land Rover are conscious of the direction in which things are moving and, of course, they will take adequate measures to see that they comply with the norms," he said. The measures could include having more efficient engines, reducing weight, getting in better driveability, and bringing down resistances, Kant said. However, he said no firm view has been taken by the European Commission (EC) as of now on the new emission norms, which were currently being debated. "These are theoritical observations as final limits of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions have not yet been mandated. They are still under discussion and what will finally happen, we do not know." Exit of Ford, the previous owner of JLR, puts the brands at severe risk of stiff penalties on new car sales as the average fleet CO2 emissions of the two marques is much higher than the proposed EC norms set to come into play from 2012. In an initiative aimed at reducing CO2 emissions from new cars by 19%, EC had adopted a proposal for legislation on December 19. To meet Kyoto Protocol targets, EC wants to reduce the emissions from around 160 gms per km to 130 gms per km by 2012. The proposal poses a major challenge for the two brands considering that JLR's most fuel-efficient car, the XType, currently emits 149 gms/km, well above the stipulated norms. Don Hume, director (corporate and government Affairs) for JLR, had earlier told TOI that steps were being taken to keep pace with the new regulations and the two brands have set up ambitious targets. "Our plan is to see JLR reduce its overall fleet emission by as much as 18% over the next few years across all vehicles," Hume said. The companies intend to spend