CER has published a position paper, Rail’s priorities for the European Green Deal, which calls for a modal shift to rail, effective tools to implement 'user pays' and 'polluter pays' principles and proper funding for clean mobility.
CER wants the European Commission, the European Parliament and member states to agree a strong European Green Deal to progressively reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from transport and the wider economy by 2050 at the latest.
CER says that as rail is already the greenest mode of motorised transport, thanks to a high proportion of electrification and increasingly zero-carbon operation, it can greatly help to decarbonise transport.
“With the European Green Deal, the EU and member states should set ambitious, but realistic milestones for 2030/2040/2050 to decarbonise EU transport,” says CER. “A shift to rail should be supported with an action plan of EU and national measures for rail freight, with support for a shift to rail for passengers particularly in the case of cross-border travel up to 1000km. Marginal social-cost pricing should be promoted in transport to implement the principles of 'polluter pays' and 'user pays'.”
Increase CEF
CER wants the EU to significantly increase the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) budget for transport. It says investment is needed to electrify more lines, expand railway digitalisation and reduce freight train noise. CER also calls for “robust funding” for railway research and innovation, and measures to facilitate an increase in private investment in rail projects.
CER believes the European Green Deal should help implement robust carbon pricing for transport across the EU to create a level playing field for rail. CER wants fuel used in international aviation and maritime shipping to be taxed and calls for an end to air travel subsidies and the expansion of road charging.
Waive track charges
CER wants the EU and member states to temporarily waive some track access charges, reduce the customs guarantee burden for rail freight, promote sustainable tourism and improve transport eco-labelling to help travellers and shippers make well-informed choices.
“European railways warmly welcome the plan of the incoming European Commission for a European Green Deal to support the EU's transition to a net-zero carbon economy by 2050,” says Mr Libor Lochman, CER’s executive director. “As the existing green mode of motorised transport, rail can make a key contribution to this transition with a modal shift to clean transport.”
