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MEPs spell out suggestions for sustainable transport

MEPs believe that the idea of setting emissions standards for aircraft and ships – similar to the ones that already exist for cars – “should be explored”. This was one of the options they put forward in a resolution, adopted on 10 September, in the European Parliament’s plenary session in Strasbourg on an EU strategy for transport technologies geared at sustainable mobility.

The resolution was written in reaction to a communication published by the
European Commission in September 2012. MEPs are convinced that such a
strategy would help reduce energy consumption, noise pollution from traffic, air pollution and greenhouse gas (GhG) emissions. MEPs stressed that it was paramount for the EU “to set firm targets” for 2020, 2030 and 2050.

In its communication, the Commission estimated that €3 billion in investments would be necessary between 2010 and 2030 for innovative vehicles, equipment and recharging infrastructures for electric vehicles in order to meet the emissions reduction targets in transports. The resolution calls for incentives to boost sustainable transport means, in particular tax incentives targeted at individuals,
manufacturers and products and services providers.

The resolution makes a strong case for innovative solutions to reduce noise – preferably at the source – across all transport modes. These “are urgently needed” to protect citizens’ health and quality of life. MEPs recalled, in particular, that they were keen to see noise pollution, vibrations and energy consumption of rail vehicles reduced by 20% by 2020.

Source: Europolitics

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