EU drive to alternative low fuels vital in race against
climate change but it must be a just transition
Support by EU local and regional leaders for the
European Green Deal risks being undermined if key
sectors of the local economy are left behind by the
transition to a more sustainable future, the
European Committee of the Regions (CoR)
has warned. In their plenary debate on the future
of transport and in its
opinion
on stronger CO2 emission
standards for cars and vans and the deployment of
alternative fuel infrastructure for cities and
regions in the EU, CoR members in particular
highlighted the need for equal treatment between
urban and rural areas.
During the plenary debate with the EU Commissioner for
Transport,
Adina Vălean, local and regional leaders emphasised the need to
support all regions and cities in delivering more
sustainable transport, a key element if the EU is to
reach its legally committed 2050 goal of climate
neutrality. The debate focused on how to make transport
more sustainable in light of the EU's
Green Deal
target of cutting 90% of transport emissions by 2050.
While fully supporting the Commission's cuts, regions
and cities highlighted the need for a fair and equal
approach, especially between urban and rural areas, as
the
European Commission
proposes significant investments in recharging and
refuelling stations to encourage the switch to electric
or sustainable mobility.
President of the European Committee of the Regions and
Governor of the Region of Central Macedonia in Greece,
Apostolos Tzitzikostas
said: "Fully decarbonising our transport terms is
necessary and achievable if the specific needs of every
region, city and village are met. Every level of
government must come together and invest together under
the national recovery plans, with dedicated EU
co-financing given to local and regional governments.
Many regions depend on the automotive industry, so
accelerating the green transition means investing in
re-skilling local workforces. This European
transformation towards green mobility must be seen as
an opportunity, not a burden, for governments, industry
and people."
Adina Vălean, Commissioner for Transport, stated: "By
2030, we expect to see at least 30 million electric
cars on EU roads, compared to about 1 million today.
But infrastructure must match demand. Our proposal for
an Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation takes a
market-based approach, ensuring we have the recharging
and refuelling stations we need to both meet this
demand and to encourage yet more individuals and
businesses to make the switch to electric – or hydrogen
fuel cell – vehicles. Our distance-based targets will
allow drivers to travel across the Union without range
anxiety, while fleet-based targets will ensure we have
sufficient charging points, while leaving Member States
and regions to select the locations."
The CoR's opinion on
stronger CO2 emission standards for cars
and vans and the deployment of alternative fuel
infrastructure calls
for a European co-financing mechanism that enables
every region to upgrade their infrastructure to offer
greener fuels and drive demand for more sustainable
vehicles. But, the CoR stressed, a more integrated
approach to planning is needed, particularly to connect
up urban and rural areas more effectively. Availability
of alternative fuels throughout the whole EU is also a
significant issue, especially in the more rural and
remote areas which lack the necessary infrastructure.
In 2020, 70% of all electric car charging
points were located in just three European
countries
– the Netherlands, France and Germany – and this,
combined with the relatively easier access to more
polluting vehicles in other parts of Europe, notably in
central and eastern parts of the EU, is creating
inequalities.
Adrian Teban
(RO/EPP), Mayor of Cugir and rapporteur for this
opinion, stressed: "A fair transition mechanism is
needed at European level for regions that depend on the
car industry to manage change in this sector, to ensure
that the new sustainable mobility system based on
alternative fuels is affordable and accessible to all
citizens and guarantee that no region is left behind."
CoR members underlined the need to analyse the economic
regional impact of the transition to zero emission road
vehicles to ensure the EU delivers a just transition
support in every region.. The CoR is currently
developing an alliance of regions to ensure a just and
equal transition, especially in regions where the
automotive sector is a major part of their local
economy.
Background
To ensure a just transition towards climate neutrality
for all European cities and regions, the European
Committee of the Regions established the
Green Deal Going Local Campaign
. This initiative aims to put regions and cities at the
centre of the European Green Deal to empower local and
regional leaders to take action on climate change and
increase the delivery of sustainable EU-funded projects
in local communities across the European Union.
Contact:
Theresa Sostmann
Tel. +32 2282 2457
Theresa.Sostmann@cor.europa.eu