Page 86 - European Energy Innovation - Summer 2015 publication
P. 86
Summer 2015 European Energy Innovation
RAIL TRANSPORT
Attractive Railways for a
Greener Transport Future
By Philippe Citroën, Director General, UNIFE—the European Rail Industry Association
When it comes their total emissions. In order and waterbourne transport—
to making to tackle the transport and specifically the White Paper
transport more societal challenges of efficient calls for a 50% shift of medium
energy efficient, mobility and climate change, the distance intercity passenger
environmentally friendly, and European rail industry has been and freight journeys from
carbon conscious, rail already actively collaborating with the EU road to rail and waterbourne
starts from a strong position. on transport policy and innovative transport by 2050. The White
Rail is, undebatably, the cleanest new rail technologies. Paper is currently under a mid-
mode of transport and the rail term stocktaking review by the
sector and the EU are investing AMBITIOUS EU GOALS institutions and it is UNIFE’s hope
to make it even more sustainable FOR SUSTAINABLE that these ambitious targets are
and increase its usage—thus TRANSPORTATION maintained. Furthermore, 2015
allowing the green benefits of In 2011, the European is an important year in that the
the mode to be fully leveraged. Commission published its EU is currently consulting on
In the EU, transport is the second White Paper on Transport which its 2030 Climate Package and
biggest greenhouse gas emitting outlined the main goals set for the UN is preparing for its 21st
sector after energy, and while the European Transport system Conference of Parties in Paris
greenhouse gas emissions by 2050—these goals centred on this December where a broad
in other sectors decreased making Europe more mobile but agreement on limiting the impact
significantly between 1990 and also reducing the environmental of climate change is expected
2009, emissions from transport impact of transportation. As to be reached. Incidentally,
increased 28% during the such, one of the main themes transport policy plays a huge role
same period—and all transport of this document was eliciting in whether or not these goals are
modes, except for rail, increased modal shift from road to rail realised.
Photo©: Alstom Transport
www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu
RAIL TRANSPORT
Attractive Railways for a
Greener Transport Future
By Philippe Citroën, Director General, UNIFE—the European Rail Industry Association
When it comes their total emissions. In order and waterbourne transport—
to making to tackle the transport and specifically the White Paper
transport more societal challenges of efficient calls for a 50% shift of medium
energy efficient, mobility and climate change, the distance intercity passenger
environmentally friendly, and European rail industry has been and freight journeys from
carbon conscious, rail already actively collaborating with the EU road to rail and waterbourne
starts from a strong position. on transport policy and innovative transport by 2050. The White
Rail is, undebatably, the cleanest new rail technologies. Paper is currently under a mid-
mode of transport and the rail term stocktaking review by the
sector and the EU are investing AMBITIOUS EU GOALS institutions and it is UNIFE’s hope
to make it even more sustainable FOR SUSTAINABLE that these ambitious targets are
and increase its usage—thus TRANSPORTATION maintained. Furthermore, 2015
allowing the green benefits of In 2011, the European is an important year in that the
the mode to be fully leveraged. Commission published its EU is currently consulting on
In the EU, transport is the second White Paper on Transport which its 2030 Climate Package and
biggest greenhouse gas emitting outlined the main goals set for the UN is preparing for its 21st
sector after energy, and while the European Transport system Conference of Parties in Paris
greenhouse gas emissions by 2050—these goals centred on this December where a broad
in other sectors decreased making Europe more mobile but agreement on limiting the impact
significantly between 1990 and also reducing the environmental of climate change is expected
2009, emissions from transport impact of transportation. As to be reached. Incidentally,
increased 28% during the such, one of the main themes transport policy plays a huge role
same period—and all transport of this document was eliciting in whether or not these goals are
modes, except for rail, increased modal shift from road to rail realised.
Photo©: Alstom Transport
www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu
