Category: Position paper

The European Shippers’ Council (ESC) welcomes the ambitious climate goals laid down in the European Climate Law and the European Green Deal and likewise supports the ultimate purpose of the Fit for 55 Package, namely a 55% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 – compared to 1990 levels – and a carbon neutral Europe by 2050.

On 14 July, the European Commission presented a legislative package to achieve the stricter target of a 55% CO2 reduction compared to 1999 by 2030 and, thus, contribute to solving the climate problem.

To combat carbon leakage, which until now has been regulated in the ETS itself, a new instrument is being developed: Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). Given the importance of combating carbon leakage for the climate, economy, and employment, we think this is a good development.

We, the undersigned 93 European associations representing key European research & innovation stakeholders, hereby urge the EU Institutions to make research, development and innovation (RD&I) a priority within the next Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027. We call on the Council of the EU to raise the budget allocated to the Horizon Europe programme to at least €120 billion (in 2018 prices), of which at least 60% should be dedicated to the “Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness” pillar.

The above-signed organisations welcome the decision of the European Commission to repeal Directive 2010/65 and replace the existing Directive with a Regulation establishing a European Single Window Environment. The decision of the European Commission to base its proposal on existing systems (National Single Windows) is correct and will allow industry and Member States to continue to develop and innovate existing systems. However, the signatories of this paper see a need to further clarify some key aspects before the legal text can achieve its goal of reducing the administrative burden on maritime transport whilst ensuring the negative effects of the previous initiative are not repeated.

The European Union has set ambitious goals regarding the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. It strives to be a global leader in the transition towards a net-zero-greenhouse gas emissions economy by scaling up technological innovations in various fields. The waterborne transport sector is committed to contribute to this aim.