CER and UNIFE call for a Transport Pillar within the 2030 Framework for Climate and Energy Policies

The Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) and the Association of the European Rail Industry (UNIFE) encourage the Member States to consider a transport dimension for the post 2020 climate and energy policies ahead of the European Council that will take place on 26-27 June.

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. In a joint Position Paper, CER and UNIFE advocate:

• A formal confirmation in legislation of the 60% reduction of transport emissions by 2050 outlined in the Transport White Paper 2011
• Reforms to the EU Emission Trading System so as to ensure fair treatment between all transport modes
• New support measures to incentivise a shift to less polluting modes of transport and less polluting vehicles within modes

Railway transport can make an important contribution for the post 2020 climate and energy goals. Both associations stress that policy makers should therefore ensure that measures within the Framework are conducive to growth in these sectors while avoiding the creation of new costs or barriers to such growth.

CER Executive Director Libor Lochman said: “Railway transport provides higher energy efficiency, lower reliance on imported fossil fuels, lower specific emissions of greenhouse gases, and good prospects for an increasing use of renewable energy. The 2030 Framework is the right instrument for policy-makers to create new incentives for growth of sustainable transport.”

UNIFE Director General Philippe Citroën added: “The rail industry can significantly contribute to tackle climate and energy challenges in Europe. The 2030 Framework provides a unique opportunity to achieve a level playing field between different transport modes while providing the conditions to efficiently support the development of rail in Europe.”

The CER/UNIFE position paper ‘A 2030 Framework for Climate and Energy Policies’ can be downloaded here.