With the contribution of the LIFE programme of the European Union - LIFE14 ENV/GR/000611 and       the co-financing of Green Fund, Greece

Brief presentation of EU Strategy for Low – Emission Mobility

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The European Commission published the European Strategy for low-emission mobility 7 months ago with the aim to modernise EU economy, reduce emissions from transport sector and meet EU’s commitments under the Paris Agreement.

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The strategy sets clear and fair guiding principles to Member States to prepare for the future and shift to low-emission mobility in terms of carbon and air pollutants. The proposed Action Plan has 3 main axis:

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• Optimise the transport system and improve its efficiency via digital mobility solutions, fair and efficient pricing in transport and via supporting multi-modality.

• Scale up the use of low-emission alternative energy for transport with effective framework for alternative energy, suitable re-charging infrastructure, interoperability and standardisation for electro-mobility.

• Move towards zero-emission vehicles by improving vehicles testing, battery cells, by working on post-2020 carbon dioxide standards for cars and vans and, most importantly, by raising consumers’ awareness and standardising tax regulations in different countries

Further, the strategy sets horizontal enablers to support low emissions mobility and joins measures that support skills, research, innovation and competitiveness in industrial sector, while it emphasizes the great potential and the current barriers of digital technologies.

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The strategy stresses out the role of cities and local authorities, since urban transport is responsible for 23% of EU’s GHG emissions. The strategy should come down to local level via noumerous actions; EU offers valuable initiative supporting cities in their role (e.g. CIVITAS, Covenant of Mayors, Smart Cities, etc).

Last, EU declares that it remains committed to take action at global level via regulations and reporting at international level in order to reach international agreements and contribute to capacity-building across the globe.

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Download the strategy here http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52016DC0501 or the supporting analysis here http://ec.europa.eu/transport/themes/strategies/news/2016-07-20-decarbonisation_en

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The figure is from EPSC Strategic Notes Issue 18 – Towards Low Emission Mobility, Driving the Modernisation of the EU Economy

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Source: European Commission

The LIFE GYM [LIFE14 ENV/GR/000611] project is co-funded by the LIFE programme, the EU financial instrument for the environment.

The sole responsibility for the content of this report lies with the authors. It does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Union. Neither the EASME nor the European Commission are responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

Start Date: 15 September 2015 – Duration: 35 months