Climate protection & Transport sector
The European Commission has published the first part of the "Fit for 55" package. With the measures presented, the European Commission aims reduce the greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 percent compared to levels from 1990 until 2030.
In the wake of climate change, the European Union has set ambitious objectives. By 2050, Europe is to become the first climate-neutral continent. To accomplish this, all 27 EU member states pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 percent compared to levels from 1990 until 2030. The European Green Deal provides the basis for this transformation and aims to shape the transition to a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy.
For specific implementation, the European Commission published twelve measures in the fields of energy, land use, climate, transport and taxation. These proposals are part of the "Fit for 55" legislative package, which aims to amend existing directives and regulations in line with the 55 percent reduction target. These include adapting the EU's existing emissions trading system, the Energy Efficiency Directive, adapting tax measures, and accelerating the introduction of low-emission modes of transport and the corresponding infrastructure and fuels.
In the transport sector, fleet limits for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles are to be tightened. The previous reduction of 37.5 percent for passenger cars and 31 percent for light commercial vehicles by 2030 is now to be increased to 55 percent and 50 percent reduction respectively. A 100 percent reduction in CO2 emissions is to be achieved by 2035. Therefore, only zero-emission vehicles may be newly registered from 2035. At the same time, the Commission presented specific distance and capacity targets in the field of charging infrastructure. For example, electricity charging points are to be installed every 60 km for passenger cars and light and heavy commercial vehicles throughout Europe by 2025, and hydrogen refuelling stations every 150 km by 2030.
Further measures can be found in the press release of the European Commission.
Source: European Commission