RAIL AS A KEY TO DECARBONISING TRANSPORT

Rail is an environmentally friendly and highly energy efficient transport mode, with a track record of improving its carbon-efficiency for both passenger and freight transport. The rail sector is committed to further reducing its greenhouse gas emissions through extended electrification as well as the improvement of its energy efficiency through research and innovation. So rail should play a key role in the European Commission’s strategy on transport decarbonisation.

In a joint position paper published last week, UNIFE (European Rail Industry Association) and CER (Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies) call on the Commissioners responsible for the Energy Union, Climate Action & Energy, and Transport, Vice-President Šefčovič, Commissioner Cañete and Commissioner Bulc, to promote rail as the backbone of sustainable mobility and its interconnectivity with other low-carbon modes, in the upcoming Communication on transport decarbonisation.

In particular, the rail sector confirms its support for the objectives set in the Transport White Paper of 2011, notably the 60% reduction target for transport emissions by 2050 compared to 1990 levels and suggests adding a binding target for 2030. These targets are all the more relevant in light of the ambitious worldwide climate objectives set during the COP21 conference last year in Paris.

Moreover, UNIFE and CER invite policymakers to pursue a win-win strategy by linking climate, energy and transport policies: shifting more passengers and goods to rail will lead to transport decarbonisation as well as increased energy security.

UNIFE Director General Philippe Citroën commented: “The rail industry fully supports the European Commission’s objective of reducing transport emissions and looks forward to ambitious targets and policy measures in the upcoming Communication. A modal shift to rail as the most sustainable mode of transport should be at the backbone of any transport sector strategy to reduce CO2 emissions.”

CER Executive Director Libor Lochman said: “Europe must reduce its dependency on imported fossil fuels and move towards a low-carbon economy with high energy efficiency. The transport sector has an untapped potential to achieve energy savings and emission reductions. Rail, as a low-oil and low-carbon transport mode, is central to deliver massive cuts in transport emissions, reduce oil dependency and mitigate congestion in cities.”