European Commission adopts Transport 2050 plan for a competitive transport system

European Commission adopts Transport 2050 plan for a competitive transport system

2011-03-29 02:19:57 GMT+7 (ICT)

BRUSSELS (BNO NEWS) -- The European Commission on Monday adopted the Transport 2050 comprehensive strategy for a competitive transport system to increase mobility and reduce emissions.

"Transport 2050 is a roadmap for a competitive transport sector that increases mobility and cuts emissions. We can and we must do both. The widely held belief that you need to cut mobility to fight climate change is simply not true," said Siim Kallas, Vice-President of the Commission.

The transportation strategy was designed to remove major barriers in key areas and at the same time dramatically reduce Europe's dependence on imported oil and cut carbon emissions in transport by 60 percent by 2050.

"Freedom to travel is a basic right for our citizens and it is critical to the development of a Europe's business sector. We need a competitive European Transport System which delivers transport for people," said Kallas, also the Commission's responsible for transport.

In order to achieve the objectives set in the strategy, Europe will require a transformation in its currently transportation system including no more use of conventionally fuelled cars, 40 percent use of sustainable low carbon fuels in aviation, 40 percent cut in shipping emissions and a 60 percent cut in transport emissions by 2050.

"We can break the transport system's dependence on oil without sacrificing its efficiency and compromising mobility. It can be win–win," said the Commission Vice-President.

Overall, the aim of the Transport 2050 plan is to create a Single European Transport Area with more competition and a fully integrated transport network that allows a shift in transport patterns for passengers and freight.

"Action cannot be delayed, infrastructure takes many years to plan and build. Trains, planes and ships last for decades. So the choices we make to day will determine the shape of transport in 2050," concluded Kallas.

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