Brussels, 09/09/2015 (Agence Europe) - The own initiative report on implementation of the 2011 White Paper on Transport adopted by the European Parliament during a plenary session on Wednesday 9 September in Strasbourg, calls on the European Commission to adopt measures to help member states reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and develop a global “decarbonisation” strategy for transport in an effort to attain the White Paper objectives.
As part of the Commission's mid-term review of European transport policy, MEPs recommend that in order to attain the 2030 objectives (reducing GHGs by 40% compared to the 1990 level) and those for 2050 (60% compared to the 1990 level) co-modality should be enhanced by emphasising cleaner modes of transport.
They also call on the Commission to submit proposals to internalise external transport costs for freight and passengers, in an effort to ensure better application of the “user pays” and “polluter pays” principles. In this respect, MEPs consider that distance-based prices for light utility vehicles should be introduced by member states, whose revenues would be affected by clean and safe transport infrastructure.
TEN-T. MEPs also launched an appeal to increase the budget allocation, particularly by way of the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) and the Connecting Europe mechanism, in an effort to complete the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) by 2030.
Urban transport. MEPs highlight the need to increase energy efficiency by promoting electric modes of transport and substitution fuels. They also call for public transport in urban areas to be doubled by 2030 and to develop cycling networks in cities and regions, in an effort to encourage the development of carpooling. They also call on the Commission to examine the question of “the relationship between driver and passenger companies”, such as the emblematic Uber company in view of ensuring a level playing field with taxis. They also call for European measures to be stepped up to improve security and respect for the social acquis.
Aviation sector. Parliament calls on the Commission to ensure expansion of an efficient and competitive flight connection network and to increase connections between flights with Asia and Africa, faced with increasing competition from Gulf countries and Turkey. The EP is demanding a revision of the Regulation 868/2004 on unfair subsidies and practices carried out by non-EU airlines.
Railway sector. The 4th railway package is expected to be adopted “without delay” and the European strategy for 2030 and 2050 is expected to be presented, explained the EP.
Maritime sector. MEPs are proposing the adoption of a global objective for the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in an effort to achieve the 40% reduction objective in CO2 emissions by 2050. They are also calling for optimisation in the way in which the internal market in inland waterways and rivers are operated. (Pascal Hansens)