CO2 emission standards for cars and vans
On April 20, the European Parliament Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) adopted its opinion on the Amending Regulation (EU) 2019/631 as regards strengthening the CO2 emission performance standards for new passenger cars and new light commercial vehicles in line with the Union’s increased climate ambition.
The document calls to ensure coherence between several EU legislative acts, such as alternative fuels infrastructure, CO2 standards for cars and vans, batteries, renewable energy, land use, land-use change, and forestry, 8th environmental action programme. It underlines the need for the Commission to work together with Member States and industrial stakeholders to secure the supply chain in the strategic materials and rare earths needed for zero & low-carbon technologies.
For the adopted opinion, please see here.
Revision of the EU Emissions Trading System
The European Parliament Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) adopted its opinion for the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2003/87/EC establishing a system for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Union, Decision (EU) 2015/1814 concerning the establishment and operation of a market stability reserve for the Union greenhouse gas emission trading scheme and Regulation (EU) 2015/757.
For the adopted opinion, please see here.
Road freight sector urges ENVI to include structural and financial needs in EU ETS-road
The European road freight transport sector, including road goods transport operators, express delivery operators, freight forwarders and importers and exporters, call on members of the ENVI Committee of the European Parliament to agree on the inclusion of road transport in the ETS provided that the following principles are embraced:
• Include all road users: ETS road should simultaneously apply to all road users, ranging from individual car users to commercial freight transport. There should not be any discrimination between road users.
• Boost uptake of low and zero carbon fuels: Earmarking the ETS for road income and investing these revenues in the uptake of low and zero emission carbon fuels and the deployment of interoperable refuelling/recharging infrastructure is a key for the transition to be made in the coming years. Without sufficient funding the road transport sector will be deprived from a unique opportunity to accelerate sustainable turnaround.
• Avoid multiple CO2 taxes, charges and duties and use only one single instrument as this is the most effective: ETS for road will provide for an EU-harmonised framework to effectively reduce the CO2 footprint of the road transport sector. Any national ETS schemes for road transport or other CO2-related taxes charges or duties should be phased out.
If the above conditions are met, the inclusion of road transport in the ETS would support the decarbonisation ambitions of the road transport sector within the Single Market. All undersigned associations are of the opinion that incorporating provisions along these lines into the ETS Road text will have road transport contribute its fair share in achieving the EU climate goals.
The European road freight transport sector is represented by CLECAT (European Association for Forwarding, Transport, Logistics and Customs Services), EEA (European Express Association), ESC (European Shippers’ Council), and IRU (International Road Transport Union).
Binding annual greenhouse gas emission reductions by Member States (Effort Sharing Regulation)
On April 20, the European Parliament Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) discussed the amendments to the draft opinion on the Effort Sharing Regulation. (The rapporteur is MEP Angel Dzhambazki (ECR, BG)).
During the meeting it was said that the proposed initiatives in the Fit for 55 Package lack a thorough analysis to honestly address the negative impacts of a rushed transition, which is essentially unmatched elsewhere in the world. This applies in particular to mobility. The rapporteur warns that the additional cost for citizens and households that will come with the proceeded inclusion of road transport and buildings in the EU ETS will aggravate the effects of the present energy price inflation further adding to already existing energy and transport poverty. Mr Dzhambazki supports the proposals to retain flexibilities for member states to reduce their emissions and comply effectively with the reduction obligations.
For more information, please see here.