(IN BRIEF) European Commission proposes measures to make freight transport more efficient and sustainable, aligning with the European Green Deal’s goal of reducing transport emissions by 90% by 2050. The proposed initiatives include optimizing rail capacity to improve cross-border coordination, punctuality, and reliability, as well as providing incentives for low-emission lorries. Additionally, a standardized methodology for calculating greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector is proposed to promote transparency and enable benchmarking. These measures aim to support the growth of the EU single market while reducing environmental impact. The proposals will now undergo review and evaluation by the European Parliament and the Council
(PRESS RELEASE) STRASBOURG, 11-Jul-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — The European Commission has unveiled a comprehensive set of measures aimed at making freight transport more efficient and sustainable. The proposed initiatives include enhancing rail infrastructure management, providing stronger incentives for low-emission lorries, and improving information on greenhouse gas emissions in the freight sector. These efforts align with the European Green Deal’s objective of reducing transport emissions by 90% by 2050 while promoting the growth of the EU single market.
Optimizing rail capacity for increased efficiency
Railway tracks, both costly to construct and increasingly congested within the EU, will be the focus of a proposed Regulation aimed at enhancing their utilization. The measures seek to improve cross-border coordination, punctuality, and reliability, attracting more freight companies to rail transport. By maximizing network capacity, passengers will also benefit from additional rail services, such as more frequent connections and early ticket booking.
Currently, capacity management rules are determined annually on a national and manual basis. This fragmented approach results in delays at borders, particularly impacting cross-border traffic, which constitutes around 50% of rail freight. Moreover, uncoordinated maintenance work often leads to congestion-related delays. Building upon the industry-led Timetable Redesign Project, the proposed regulation aims to address the diverse needs of the rail sector, including stable timetables and early ticket booking for passengers and flexible train runs for freight shippers with just-in-time supply chains.
Encouraging the adoption of low-emission lorries
Road transport accounts for over 50% of freight movements in the EU and is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. In light of this, the Commission proposes revising the current Weights and Dimensions Directive to allow additional weight for vehicles utilizing zero-emission technologies. As these technologies tend to increase vehicle weight, providing this allowance will incentivize the adoption of cleaner vehicles and technologies. Furthermore, as zero-emission propulsion systems become lighter through technological advancements, including the use of aerodynamic devices and cabs, cleaner vehicles will enjoy additional loading payload compared to conventional lorries.
The proposal also aims to promote the uptake of aerodynamic cabins and energy-saving devices, enhancing driver comfort, safety, and the efficiency of zero-emission powertrains. Additionally, the proposal seeks to clarify the conditions for cross-border traffic involving heavier and longer vehicles, currently allowed in some Member States. It confirms that Member States permitting European Modular Systems (EMS) on their territories can also utilize them in international operations with neighboring Member States, eliminating the need for bilateral agreements and allowing for seamless border crossings. This will result in increased cargo capacity per trip.
Promoting transparency through emissions calculations
To facilitate transparency and enable benchmarking of services, the Commission proposes a standardized methodological approach for calculating greenhouse gas emissions by companies operating in the transport sector. This methodology aligns with the recently adopted ISO/CEN standard for quantifying and reporting emissions in transport chains. By providing reliable data on door-to-door emissions, operators can compare their services, while consumers can make informed choices regarding transport and delivery options.
Next steps
The European Parliament and the Council will now review and evaluate the proposals through the ordinary legislative procedure.
Background
Freight transport forms the backbone of the EU’s Single Market, facilitating the movement of goods across the continent and beyond. In 2020, the sector employed approximately 6 million people. However, freight transport is responsible for over 30% of transport-related CO2 emissions, and without decarbonization measures, emissions are projected to rise alongside the EU’s economic growth. By 2030, freight transport is expected to grow by around 25% and by 50% by 2050.
These proposals are part of a broader effort to promote sustainable mobility and transport. They align with the Fit for 55 package’s objectives, including targets for the deployment of recharging and refueling stations and sustainable fuels in aviation and maritime transport.
To complement today’s proposals, the Commission plans to revise the Combined Transport Directive, aiming to introduce a range of regulatory, operational, and economic measures to enhance the competitiveness of intermodal transport.
Furthermore, these measures complement the Commission’s proposal to update its Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) policy, which seeks to incentivize and require infrastructure development while integrating different modes within a multimodal transport system. Digital technologies, such as the European Rail Traffic Management System, Digital Automatic Coupling for rail, the Electronic Freight Transport Information Regulation, and the European Maritime Single Window Environment, contribute to increasing efficiency.
“Greening Freight Transport” is Flagship 4 of the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy, which outlines a roadmap to achieve a 90% reduction in transport emissions by 2050, in line with the European Green Deal. The Strategy includes milestones such as doubling rail freight traffic, ensuring zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles by 2050, and establishing market-ready, zero-emission ocean-going ships by 2030.
Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal – 11/07/2023:
“With today’s proposals, we take another step on the journey to sustainable transport. Every day, billions of goods are traveling on European roads and railway tracks, from harbours and customs points to shops and to our homes. Our proposals will help to get more zero-emission trucks on the road and make sure that this freight is handled in the most sustainable way possible, whether it travels by truck, train or barge.”
Adina Vălean, Commissioner for Transport – 11/07/2023:
“With today’s proposals, we are ensuring we get the best out of the EU’s Single Market. Freight transport in the EU is responsible for an annual turnover of €938 billion, and through our initiatives, we want to increase the availability of rail capacity for freight and cross-border trains; we instate an accurate, homogenous system of counting emissions from transport operations, and we make road transport more efficient.”
Media contacts:
Adalbert JAHNZ
Phone
+ 32 2 295 31 56
Mail
adalbert.jahnz@ec.europa.eu
Deborah ALMERGE RUCKERT
Phone
+32 2 298 79 86
Mail
deborah.almerge-ruckert@ec.europa.eu
SOURCE: The European Commission
- Astor Asset Management 3 Ltd: Salinas Pliego Incumple Préstamo de $110 Millones USD y Viola Regulaciones Mexicanas
- Astor Asset Management 3 Ltd: Salinas Pliego Verstößt gegen Darlehensvertrag über 110 Mio. USD und Mexikanische Wertpapiergesetze
- ChargeEuropa zamyka rundę finansowania, której przewodził fundusz Shift4Good tym samym dokonując historycznej francuskiej inwestycji w polski sektor elektromobilności
- Strengthening EU Protections: Robert Szustkowski calls for safeguarding EU citizens’ rights to dignity
- Digi Communications NV announces the release of H1 2024 Financial Results
- Digi Communications N.V. announces that conditional stock options were granted to a director of the Company’s Romanian Subsidiary
- Digi Communications N.V. announces Investors Call for the presentation of the H1 2024 Financial Results
- Digi Communications N.V. announces the conclusion of a share purchase agreement by its subsidiary in Portugal
- Digi Communications N.V. Announces Rating Assigned by Fitch Ratings to Digi Communications N.V.
- Digi Communications N.V. announces significant agreements concluded by the Company’s subsidiaries in Spain
- SGW Global Appoints Telcomdis as the Official European Distributor for Motorola Nursery and Motorola Sound Products
- Digi Communications N.V. announces the availability of the instruction regarding the payment of share dividend for the 2023 financial year
- Digi Communications N.V. announces the exercise of conditional share options by the executive directors of the Company, for the year 2023, as approved by the Company’s Ordinary General Shareholders’ Meetings from 18th May 2021 and 28th December 2022
- Digi Communications N.V. announces the granting of conditional stock options to Executive Directors of the Company based on the general shareholders’ meeting approval from 25 June 2024
- Digi Communications N.V. announces the OGMS resolutions and the availability of the approved 2023 Annual Report
- Czech Composer Tatiana Mikova Presents Her String Quartet ‘In Modo Lidico’ at Carnegie Hall
- SWIFTT: A Copernicus-based forest management tool to map, mitigate, and prevent the main threats to EU forests
- WickedBet Unveils Exciting Euro 2024 Promotion with Boosted Odds
- Museum of Unrest: a new space for activism, art and design
- Digi Communications N.V. announces the conclusion of a Senior Facility Agreement by companies within Digi Group
- Digi Communications N.V. announces the agreements concluded by Digi Romania (formerly named RCS & RDS S.A.), the Romanian subsidiary of the Company
- Green Light for Henri Hotel, Restaurants and Shops in the “Alter Fischereihafen” (Old Fishing Port) in Cuxhaven, opening Summer 2026
- Digi Communications N.V. reports consolidated revenues and other income of EUR 447 million, adjusted EBITDA (excluding IFRS 16) of EUR 140 million for Q1 2024
- Digi Communications announces the conclusion of Facilities Agreements by companies from Digi Group
- Digi Communications N.V. Announces the convocation of the Company’s general shareholders meeting for 25 June 2024 for the approval of, among others, the 2023 Annual Report
- Digi Communications NV announces Investors Call for the presentation of the Q1 2024 Financial Results
- Digi Communications intends to propose to shareholders the distribution of dividends for the fiscal year 2023 at the upcoming General Meeting of Shareholders, which shall take place in June 2024
- Digi Communications N.V. announces the availability of the Romanian version of the 2023 Annual Report
- Digi Communications N.V. announces the availability of the 2023 Annual Report
- International Airlines Group adopts Airline Economics by Skailark ↗️
- BevZero Spain Enhances Sustainability Efforts with Installation of Solar Panels at Production Facility
- Digi Communications N.V. announces share transaction made by an Executive Director of the Company with class B shares
- BevZero South Africa Achieves FSSC 22000 Food Safety Certification
- Digi Communications N.V.: Digi Spain Enters Agreement to Sell FTTH Network to International Investors for Up to EUR 750 Million
- Patients as Partners® Europe Announces the Launch of 8th Annual Meeting with 2024 Keynotes and Topics
- driveMybox continues its international expansion: Hungary as a new strategic location
- Monesave introduces Socialised budgeting: Meet the app quietly revolutionising how users budget
- Digi Communications NV announces the release of the 2023 Preliminary Financial Results
- Digi Communications NV announces Investors Call for the presentation of the 2023 Preliminary Financial Results
- Lensa, един от най-ценените търговци на оптика в Румъния, пристига в България. Първият шоурум е открит в София
- Criando o futuro: desenvolvimento da AENO no mercado de consumo em Portugal
- Digi Communications N.V. Announces the release of the Financial Calendar for 2024
- Customer Data Platform Industry Attracts New Participants: CDP Institute Report
- eCarsTrade annonce Dirk Van Roost au poste de Directeur Administratif et Financier: une décision stratégique pour la croissance à venir
- BevZero Announces Strategic Partnership with TOMSA Desil to Distribute equipment for sustainability in the wine industry, as well as the development of Next-Gen Dealcoholization technology
- Digi Communications N.V. announces share transaction made by a Non-Executive Director of the Company with class B shares
- Digi Spain Telecom, the subsidiary of Digi Communications NV in Spain, has concluded a spectrum transfer agreement for the purchase of spectrum licenses
- Эксперт по торговле акциями Сергей Левин запускает онлайн-мастер-класс по торговле сырьевыми товарами и хеджированию
- Digi Communications N.V. announces the conclusion by Company’s Portuguese subsidiary of a framework agreement for spectrum usage rights
- North Texas Couple Completes Dream Purchase of Ouray’s Iconic Beaumont Hotel
- Предприниматель и филантроп Михаил Пелег подчеркнул важность саммита ООН по Целям устойчивого развития 2023 года в Нью-Йорке
- Digi Communications NV announces the release of the Q3 2023 Financial Results
- IQ Biozoom Innovates Non-Invasive Self-Testing, Empowering People to Self-Monitor with Laboratory Precision at Home
- BevZero Introduces Energy Saving Tank Insulation System to Europe under name “BevClad”
- Motorvision Group reduces localization costs using AI dubbing thanks to partnering with Dubformer
- Digi Communications NV Announces Investors Call for the Q3 2023 Financial Results
- Jifiti Granted Electronic Money Institution (EMI) License in Europe
- Предприниматель Михаил Пелег выступил в защиту образования и грамотности на мероприятии ЮНЕСКО, посвящённом Международному дню грамотности
- VRG Components Welcomes New Austrian Independent Agent
- Digi Communications N.V. announces that Digi Spain Telecom S.L.U., its subsidiary in Spain, and abrdn plc have completed the first investment within the transaction having as subject matter the financing of the roll out of a Fibre-to-the-Home (“FTTH”) network in Andalusia, Spain
- Продюсер Михаил Пелег, как сообщается, работает над новым сериалом с участием крупной голливудской актрисы
- Double digit growth in global hospitality industry for Q4 2023
- ITC Deploys Traffic Management Solution in Peachtree Corners, Launches into United States Market
- Cyviz onthult nieuwe TEMPEST dynamische controlekamer in Benelux, Nederland
- EU-Funded CommuniCity Launches its Second Open Call
- Astrologia pode dar pistas sobre a separação de Sophie Turner e Joe Jonas
- La astrología puede señalar las razones de la separación de Sophie Turner y Joe Jonas
- Empowering Europe against infectious diseases: innovative framework to tackle climate-driven health risks
- Montachem International Enters Compostable Materials Market with Seaweed Resins Company Loliware
- Digi Communications N.V. announces that its Belgian affiliated companies are moving ahead with their operations
- Digi Communications N.V. announces the exercise of conditional share options by an executive director of the Company, for the year 2022, as approved by the Company’s Ordinary General Shareholders’ Meeting from 18 May 2021
- Digi Communications N.V. announces the availability of the instruction regarding the payment of share dividend for the 2022 financial year
- Digi Communications N.V. announces the availability of the 2022 Annual Report
- Digi Communications N.V. announces the general shareholders’ meeting resolutions from 18 August 2023 approving amongst others, the 2022 Annual Accounts
- Русские эмигранты усиливают призывы «Я хочу, чтобы вы жили» через искусство
- BevZero Introduces State-of-the-Art Mobile Flash Pasteurization Unit to Enhance Non-Alcoholic Beverage Stability at South Africa Facility
- Russian Emigrés Amplify Pleas of “I Want You to Live” through Art
- Digi Communications NV announces the release of H1 2023 Financial Results
- Digi Communications NV Announces Investors Call for the H1 2023 Financial Results
- Digi Communications N.V. announces the convocation of the Company’s general shareholders meeting for 18 August 2023 for the approval of, among others, the 2022 Annual Report
- “Art Is Our Weapon”: Artists in Exile Deploy Their Talents in Support of Peace, Justice for Ukraine
- Digi Communications N.V. announces the availability of the 2022 Annual Financial Report
- “AmsEindShuttle” nuevo servicio de transporte que conecta el aeropuerto de Eindhoven y Ámsterdam
- Un nuovo servizio navetta “AmsEindShuttle” collega l’aeroporto di Eindhoven ad Amsterdam
- Digi Communications N.V. announces the conclusion of an amendment agreement to the Facility Agreement dated 26 July 2021, by the Company’s Spanish subsidiary
- Digi Communications N.V. announces an amendment of the Company’s 2023 financial calendar
- iGulu F1: Brewing Evolution Unleashed
- Почему интерактивная «Карта мира» собрала ключевые антивоенные сообщества россиян по всему миру и становится для них важнейшим инструментом
- Hajj Minister meets EU ambassadors to Saudi Arabia
- Online Organizing Platform “Map of Peace” Emerges as Key Tool for Diaspora Activists
- Digi Communications N.V. announces that conditional stock options were granted to executive directors of the Company based on the general shareholders’ meeting approval from 18 May 2021
- Digi Communications N.V. announces the release of the Q1 2023 financial results
- AMBROSIA – A MULTIPLEXED PLASMO-PHOTONIC BIOSENSING PLATFORM FOR RAPID AND INTELLIGENT SEPSIS DIAGNOSIS AT THE POINT-OF-CARE
- Digi Communications NV announces Investors Call for the Q1 2023 Financial Results presentation
- Digi Communications N.V. announces the amendment of the Company’s 2023 financial calendar
- Digi Communications N.V. announces the conclusion of two Facilities Agreements by the Company’s Romanian subsidiary
- Digi Communications N.V. announces the conclusion of a Senior Facility Agreement by the Company’s Romanian subsidiary
- Patients as Partners Europe Returns to London and Announces Agenda Highlights
- GRETE PROJECT RESULTS PRESENTED TO TEXTILE INDUSTRY STAKEHOLDERS AT INTERNATIONAL CELLULOSE FIBRES CONFERENCE
- Digi Communications N.V. announces Digi Spain Telecom S.L.U., its subsidiary in Spain, entered into an investment agreement with abrdn to finance the roll out of a Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) network in Andalusia, Spain
- XSpline SPA / University of Linz (Austria): the first patient has been enrolled in the international multicenter clinical study for the Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy DeliveRy guided by non-Invasive electrical and VEnous anatomy assessment (CRT-DRIVE)
- Franklin Junction Expands Host Kitchen® Network To Europe with Digital Food Hall Pioneer Casper
- Unihertz a dévoilé un nouveau smartphone distinctif, Luna, au MWC 2023 de Barcelone
- Unihertz Brachte ein Neues, Markantes Smartphone, Luna, auf dem MWC 2023 in Barcelona
- Editor's pick archive....