Commission outlines framework for future of EU transport policy
Monday, 22 June 2009 15:49 | 
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The European Commission published a Communication last week, presenting its vision of future EU transport policy will look, for the period between 2010-2020. One of the main aims, as outlined in the paper, will be to make Europe’s transport system more sustainable, whilst ensuring it remains user-friendly.
Since it is predicted that 84% of the EU’s population will live in urban areas by 2050, it is clear that one of the biggest challenges will lie in how urban transport is approached in the coming years. Indeed transport Commissioner Antonio Tajani, noted that "The big challenge for the future of transport is to know how to cope with cities”.
Environmental groups were not entirely satisfied however, and have accused the Commission of not putting sustainability at the heart of the agenda. Greenpeace’s EU transport adviser Franziska Achterberg complained that ‘We just can't achieve sustainability if we continue to have an ever-expanding transport sector. If the Commission does not tackle this burning issue, the growth of EU transport will continue undermining climate efforts in other sectors’.
Another NGO, the European Federation for Transport and Environment (T&E), has meanwhile pointed out that the Communication fails to appreciate the seriousness of certain challenges facing the transport sector and thus does not offer any appropriate solutions. “The International Energy Agency has recognised that conventional oil is running out and 'unconventional' alternatives such as tar sands will be even costlier and dirtier. But the Commission doesn't give any clue as to how it proposes to deal with this issue of fundamental strategic importance to the EU”.
It is hoped that the Communication will now initiate debate about the future of European transport regarding what sort of policy options are to be included in a White Paper on the subject, expected to be released next year. In the meantime comments will be welcomed on the paper until the 30 September this year, after which the results will be published at a conference. If you wish to contribute, you can send in your comments to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Since it is predicted that 84% of the EU’s population will live in urban areas by 2050, it is clear that one of the biggest challenges will lie in how urban transport is approached in the coming years. Indeed transport Commissioner Antonio Tajani, noted that "The big challenge for the future of transport is to know how to cope with cities”.
Environmental groups were not entirely satisfied however, and have accused the Commission of not putting sustainability at the heart of the agenda. Greenpeace’s EU transport adviser Franziska Achterberg complained that ‘We just can't achieve sustainability if we continue to have an ever-expanding transport sector. If the Commission does not tackle this burning issue, the growth of EU transport will continue undermining climate efforts in other sectors’.
Another NGO, the European Federation for Transport and Environment (T&E), has meanwhile pointed out that the Communication fails to appreciate the seriousness of certain challenges facing the transport sector and thus does not offer any appropriate solutions. “The International Energy Agency has recognised that conventional oil is running out and 'unconventional' alternatives such as tar sands will be even costlier and dirtier. But the Commission doesn't give any clue as to how it proposes to deal with this issue of fundamental strategic importance to the EU”.
It is hoped that the Communication will now initiate debate about the future of European transport regarding what sort of policy options are to be included in a White Paper on the subject, expected to be released next year. In the meantime comments will be welcomed on the paper until the 30 September this year, after which the results will be published at a conference. If you wish to contribute, you can send in your comments to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
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