Positions 20 Jun 2014

A 2030 Framework for Climate and Energy Policies

The Commission Communication on the 2030 Framework for Climate and Energy Policies lists three key goals: a reduction in total domestic greenhouse gas emissions of 40% on the 1990 level by 2030; an EU-level binding target for renewable energy of at least 27% in total energy consumption; and energy efficiency goals yet to be defined. Furthermore, the Union’s energy import dependence challenge may be partly alleviated by the pursuit of those three overarching targets.

Transport is a key sector for all of these questions. It is a major consumer of imported fossil fuels and a major emitter of greenhouse gases. The European Union cannot achieve its energy and climate goals without taking measures to decarbonise transport and to make it less reliant on imported fossil fuels.

Therefore a ‘Transport Pillar’ is essential within the 2030 Framework for Climate and Energy Policies. In that context, rail transport can make significant contributions thanks to its higher performance in terms of higher energy efficiency, lower GHG emissions, and lower use of imported fossil fuels.