The aviation sector, both in Europe and internationally, is a top polluter that has not contributed to European climate objectives under the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) to the same extent as other sectors. The European Commission recently published a proposal revising the sector’s participation in the EU ETS. The proposal followed the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) decision to establish a global offsetting measure for aviation which will enter into force in 2021.
If done correctly, charging road users for their use of road infrastructure can contribute to the reduction of emissions from the transport sector. The European Commission is currently preparing its proposal for the review of the Eurovignette directive, which sets the parameters by which member states can toll roads. This revision provides an ample opportunity to link the Directive with Europe’s ambition to transition to low-emission mobility.
Cars and trucks are the top consumers of palm oil in Europe. Palm oil consumption in Europe is driving deforestation in many parts of the tropics such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Congo Basin, and lately in South America too. It’s an environmental problem that also causes social upheaval.What role does the EU play in this? How is Europe’s biofuels policy contributing to this problem? What are the solutions?
In order to strengthen the EU’s energy efficiency, as well as reduce its carbon footprint, important legislation (carbon budgets for non-ETS sectors and the Energy Efficiency Directive among others) will be negotiated this year.Kindly supported by the German Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB), Transport & Environment and The Coalition for Energy Savings are organising this event to explain how energy efficiency and global warming are interlinked, how to deal with these issues at European and national level, and how this will benefit multiple sectors.The event will be kindly hosted by MEP Carolina Punset (Alde, Spain), MEP Jo Leinen (S&D, Germany) and MEP José Inácio Faria (EPP, Portugal).Please find the draft agenda here for more information about the event - confirmation will follow shortly.
This event explores how to set Europe on a path to reach the goals of the Paris Agreement, but it will also look at the ample opportunities that already exist for emission cuts in sectors such as agriculture and transport. Carbon Market Watch and Transport & Environment will also use this occasion to launch a new user-friendly online tool that calculates the impact of flexibilities on the legislation’s emissions reduction potential.The event is kindly co-hosted by MEPs Dr. Miriam Dalli (S&D), Merja Kyllönen (GUE), and Benedek Jábor (Greens/EFA). Speakers at the event include Hans Bergman (European Commission), researchers as well as representatives from the business and NGO communities.
The European Commission have earmarked over €100 billion to spend on transport infrastructure in the current EU budget. The Commission also have committed to a 60% reduction in transport emissions before 2050. Meanwhile, transport emissions continue to rise across the continent. European countries have established national climate targets under both the Paris agreement and the ESR. If we are to meet such climate targets then investments will need to be made in order to succeed with our goals. Change goes where the money flows: if we are to decarbonise our transport sector then EU spending will need to play a larger role in ensuring that. Speakers:Branislav Urbanic (The European Court of Auditors)Martin Lange (Umweltbundesamt, The Germany Environment Agency)Stephane Ouaki (DG Move, European Commission)Pia Nieminen (European Investment Bank)Markus Trilling (CAN Europe)Sebastien Godinot (WWF)
The Paris Agreement’s objectives cannot be achieved without action to address rapidly growing emissions from international aviation and shipping, however these emissions sit outside of national targets. At the conclusion of COP21, the two UN agencies which regulate these sectors (ICAO for aviation and IMO for shipping) promised big action in 2016. Did they deliver? The event will consider what progress, if any, was made this year, what impact it may have on these sectors and what needs to happen now.
Discussing benefits, risks and potential of electrifying city logistics and public transportation, this event addresses representatives of member states, the European Commission and Members of the European Parliament.
After 3 years of work, ICAO is due to agree a global climate deal for international aviation at its triennial assembly Sept 27 - Oct 7th. The outcome will be closely watched to see if the sector can take action to limit is considerable and growing climate impact.Transport & Environment and Carbon Market Watch, with the support of WWF European Policy Office and AEF, organise a post-assembly lunch event to consider the outcome of the assembly and its implications for European climate and aviation policy. The event will present expert analysis of any agreement and discuss what are the next steps, in particular implications for the EU Emission Trading System.Please register here.
The Commission will soon present its plans for new vehicle safety standards. This will be a unique opportunity to propose safety improvements for cars, vans and trucks. This truck safety conference will bring together researchers, policy-makers, safety organisations, cities and businesses to discuss how new standards could help EU countries to make their roads and streets safer.