The European Environment Agency has attacked the transport sector for causing the EU to miss its Kyoto greenhouse gas reduction target. And its leading official has called for much stricter carbon dioxide targets for new cars than the EU is currently discussing.
The EU’s continued ‘two-seat’ operation in Brussels and Strasbourg is causing almost 20 000 tonnes of needless additional carbon dioxide emissions.
Taking the train may in most cases be an environmentally better option than flying, but it may also be better for business travellers, according to a report by T&E’s member Transform Scotland.
Research carried out in Great Britain says there is ‘no evidence’ that long heavy lorries (sometimes known as ‘gigaliners’) are good for road freight efficiency.
Making transport pay its true costs is back on the EU agenda, after the Commission opened a public consultation on internalising external costs that floats the idea that all transport could be part of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).
The EU’s third railway package has been completed, but two cyclists’ umbrella organisations have accused ministers and the Commission of a betrayal of cyclists’ interests.
MEPs have approved a new bill of rights for rail travellers, including company liability for passengers and their luggage, and the right to take a bicycle on board.
Transport ministers of Germany’s 16 federated states have voted not to allow extralong lorries on German roads.
European citizens can email their MEPs directly to call for action on transport and climate change thanks to a new website created by Friends of the Earth.
A sample of 25 000 EU citizens has shown that a majority would be willing to pay more to use less polluting transport, though most would want the limit set at 10% more.