BRUSSELS, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) -- The European Commission on Wednesday proposed new standards for transport fuels that will reduce their contribution to climate change and air pollution.

    The proposed standards will not only make the fuels themselves "cleaner" but will also allow the introduction of vehicles and machinery that pollute less, said the commission, the executive body of the European Union (EU).

    A key measure foreseen is that, to encourage the development of lower-carbon fuels and biofuels, suppliers will have to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions caused by the production, transport and use of their fuels by 10 percent between 2011 and 2020.

    A new petrol blend will be established allowing higher content of the biofuel ethanol, and sulfur levels in diesel and gasoil will be cut to reduce emissions of dangerous dust particles, said the commission.

    "This is one of the most important measures in the series of new initiatives the commission needs to take to step up the fight against global climate change," said Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas.

    "It is a concrete test of our political commitment to leadership on climate policy and our capacity to translate political priorities into concrete measures."

    He said the proposals will also help achieve a significant reduction in the noxious pollutants from transport and open the way for a major expansion in the use of biofuels, especially second generation biofuels.