Guaranteeing efficient means of transport in an eco-friendly environment.

Transport emissions in the EU increased of 20% between 1991-2014 and this sector represents one of the main causes of Europe’s greenhouse gas effects. In order to honor the Paris Agreement, the EU Parliament has passed a resolution to encourage walking, cycling and promote green mobility, such as by providing publicly available recharging points for electric cars and switching to sustainable alternative fuels.

“The European transport sector should be close to zero emissions by mid-century” Bas Eickhout, EP Committee on Transport and Tourism Greens/EFA.

A strategy to cut emissions will be drawn up for each EU country to make sure they decrease emissions at a constant pace throughout the period.

A safety reserve with a total of 105 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent will be created and be available in 2032. It is intended to help less wealthy EU countries reach their 2030 targets. The reserve will be accessible only if the EU attains its 2030 target and then only under strict conditions.

However, some flexibility will be possible. For example, EU countries will be able to bank, borrow and transfer annual emission allocations between each other from one year to another.

Other initiatives to cut greenhouse gas emissions

The European Emissions Trade Scheme
The Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry Regulation
Reducing car emissions: new CO2 targets for cars explained
Check out infographics on the EU’s progress towards reaching its 2020 climate change targets.

Read here what the European Parliament is doing to ensure that the EU will fulfil its ambitious targets to tackle climate change.