Brussels, 15/12/2011 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament has moved to amend the targets in transport set out by the European Commission earlier this year in its White Paper. MEPs agreed with the view of Mathieu Grosch (EPP, Belgium) which complements the 40 initiatives proposed by the Commission to reduce transport sector carbon emissions by 60% by 2050 (compared with 1990 levels). The resolution on more environmentally friendly goods and passenger transport was passed by 523 votes to 64, with 37 abstentions.
Quantified, short-term goals. MEPs would have liked to have seen quantified and shorter-term targets in the Commission proposal. They suggest, therefore, reducing CO2 emissions from the transport sector by 20% by 2020 compared with 2010 reference figures. To achieve this target, each mode of transport will be required to comply with quantified objectives. Thus, CO2 emissions from road transport will have to fall by 20%, noise and energy consumption in rail transport will have to drop by 20%, CO2 emissions from air transport will have to be reduced by 30% and CO2 emissions and pollutants in shipping will have to come down by 30%.
Co-modality, proportionality. Simply cutting emissions will not make European transport more sustainable, however. Grosch's roadmap argues for more efficient use of modes of transport and energy. On this, he agrees with the European Commission's approach. However, to co-modality, MEPs reply proportionality, depending on the specific nature of the regions. The Commission proposes that the transport of goods over more than 300 kilometres should be by rail or navigation. MEPs refute this approach: All modes of transport are necessary, but they must all be efficient and complementary. To select the most efficient means of transport, account has to be taken of the economic, environmental, safety and social dimensions, according to the rapporteur.
Equality through internalisation. The EP asks the Commission to bring forward a proposal by 2014 on internalising external costs for all modes of transport. For the Greens, this would bring an end to unfair competition which works against more environmentally friendly modes of transport, such as railways. For Christian Democrats, it would be a way of freeing up funding for infrastructure. There has to be a genuinely European network, in the form of an open market putting an end to the constant obstacles encountered when moving from one country to another: “The administrative burden of all cross-border transport must be reduced by harmonising transport documents. E-tickets for multi-modal travel are the way forward for passenger transport. It should be possible to make a trip including bus, train and airplane transport with just one ticket”, according to Grosch.
Ending congestion in towns. MEPs support the aim of “decarbonising” transport, especially road transport, through the promotion of alternative and less polluting vehicles. This, however, will not solve the problem of increasingly congested cities and towns. MEPs have put in place other quotas for less-polluting mobility. They want to see a doubling of numbers of people using public transport, pedestrians and cyclists in built-up areas over the next 10 years.
Commission jumps on board. The EP suggestions have been noted by the Commission. On the eve of the vote, Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas said, during the plenary session debate, that he intended to “put forward very ambitious proposals next year. Concerning rail, the programme should include measures to develop the European single railway area. New legislation should also contribute to the development of clean fuel vehicles and priorities set for innovation and technological development. We will also make further steps towards the full internalisation of all externalities and for the elimination of tax distortions”. (MD/transl.rt)