Friends of the Earth Europe advocates an environmentally-sound approach to transport and mobility.

Transport remains one of the most problematic sectors of EU energy and climate policy. While emissions from all other sectors have gone down, absolute emissions from the transport sector are still growing, constituting about a quarter of all EU greenhouse gas emissions. This comes as no surprise, since EU measures to cut emissions from the transport sector are almost completely lacking.

We are also concerned about other detrimental effects of certain types of transport, for example health problems caused by air pollution and noise pollution.

CAR EMISSIONS

We call on the European Commission to get tough on carbon dioxide emissions from cars and replace the current voluntary targets that car makers are failing to meet with mandatory standards. Binding efficiency standards for cars would cut greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector. In addition, it would reduce the huge economic costs of importing foreign oil. Photo copyright Martin Bond, Global Aware

Friends of the Earth Europe have protested about car emissions. Read more and see photos


AVIATION

USING EU FUNDS FOR SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT

EU funds should be used in the most environmentally-friendly way possible. Unfortunately, money from EU Structural and Cohesion Funds going into transport projects has so far been skewed in favour of motorways and roads. If any transport investments are vital for the everyday life of most people and for regional development, it is support for public transport, the rehabilitation of local and regional railways and roads, and improvements in transport safety.

Read more about Friends of the Earth Europe’s campaign Billions for Sustainability: http://www.foeeurope.org/billions/

EU COMMON TRANSPORT POLICY

Friends of the Earth Europe and its Green 10 (link) partners believe that the best way to handle mobility is to make Europe less transport dependent and to ensure that mobility is environmentally, socially and economically sustainable.

The European Commission’s Common Transport Policy is currently encouraging increased mobility, assuming that this will lead to increased growth and jobs. But the rationale here is flawed and also conflicts with important goals in the areas of Sustainable Development, energy, climate change, public health, natural resource management and the protection of biodiversity.

See a letter from the Green 10 to President Barroso about the Common Transport Policy

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