The European Commission presented on 9 December 2020 its Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy. Accompanying this strategy is an Action Plan which details 82 initiatives to provide guidance on developing sustainable mobility over the next 4 years. The European Green Deal outlines the intended outcomes of this plan: to achieve a 90% cut in emissions by 2050 by delivering a “smart, competitive, safe, accessible and affordable transport system”. This strategy forms the basis for how the EU transport system can successfully implement this green and digital transformation while increasing resilience to future crises.
The Sustainable Mobility Strategy puts in place key milestones for all modes of transport. This will ensure that the EU transport system stays on track in its development towards a smart and sustainable future:
By 2030:
- At least 30 million zero-emission cars will be in operation on European roads
- 100 European cities will be climate neutral
- High-speed rail traffic will double across Europe
- Scheduled collective travel for journeys under 500 km should be carbon neutral
- Automated mobility will be deployed at large scale
- Zero-emission marine vessels will be market-ready
By 2035:
- Zero-emission large aircraft will be market-ready
By 2050:
- Nearly all cars, vans, buses as well as new heavy-duty vehicles will be zero-emission
- Rail freight traffic will double
- A fully operational, multimodal Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) for sustainable and smart transport with high speed connectivity
To aid in making these goals a reality, 82 initiatives have been identified which are categorised under 10 key areas for action. Each of these includes concrete measures to make transport more resilient, sustainable, and facilitate innovation and digitalisation.
Further information on the Sustainable Mobility Strategy and the areas for action can be found in the original press release and websites below:
- Mobility Strategy Press release
- Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy
- Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy - Action Plan
European Climate Pact
The European Commission also launched the European Climate Pact on 9 December 2020. This is an EU-wide initiative which invites people, communities and organisations to participate in climate action and build a greener Europe. It will provide a space for people from all backgrounds to share ideas and inspiration in order to collectively develop and implement climate solutions of all scales. An online platform will foster dialogue and help further develop the link between the digital and green transition. The Climate Pact will play an important role in raising awareness and providing a push for action in making the urban mobility strategies of regions and companies more sustainable.
The Commission is launching an open call for people and organisations to lead by example in engaging in climate action by becoming Climate Pact Ambassadors. A launch event with Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans will take place on 16 December, 9:00-11:00 CET. This will introduce the first EU Climate Pact Ambassadors and feature a discussion on upcoming Climate Pact pledges and actions for combating climate change.
Further information on The Climate Pact, becoming a Climate Pact Ambassador and the launch event can be found in the following websites:
Details
- Publication date
- 9 December 2020
- Topic
- Policy and research
- Urban mobility planning
- Country
- Europe-wide