Transport and Environment - Bulletin / News and views from the field of transport and environment in Europe

The printable version of the October 2010 Bulletin can be downloaded from our website.

Did you know?  You can now follow T&E news on the social networks LinkedIn and Twitter.

October 2010:

Fight to reduce air travel’s impact made harder at global aviation summit

European plans to tackle air transport’s climate impact moved a step closer, but also risked being watered down, at this month’s general assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The European Union appeared to signal that the terms of aviation’s entry into the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) might be weakened, and the EU’s transport commissioner even talked about exempting incoming flights to Europe from the scheme. Yet these concessions allowed the EU to successfully fight off an American-led attempt to stop emissions trading in aviation from happening.

End of charging ban comes at cost of congestion charging

The EU’s ban on member states charging road hauliers for the unpaid costs of lorry journeys looks set to be partially lifted, after a compromise deal was agreed among member states that could lead to a new Eurovignette directive next year. But the cost of the Belgian presidency getting agreement appears to be the retention of important restrictions on how states can charge for the costs of congestion, plus an air pollution loophole for newer lorries that T&E has described as ‘bizarre’.

Van law weakened as it comes close to approval

The EU’s first legislation limiting carbon dioxide emissions from light commercial vehicles (vans) has moved a step closer, but has been weakened in the process. MEPs on the European Parliament’s environment committee have voted to lower the emissions target for 2020, and have voted against imposing speed limiters.

Developing nations block fuel efficiency for ships

T&E and other NGOs have called for the EU to bring shipping into the Emissions Trading Scheme after several emerging nations blocked the first global measure to cut carbon emissions from newly-built ships.

IEA findings suggest EC is keeping price of fuels unnecessarily high

The International Energy Agency has supported a theory that T&E put forward two years ago – that making more fuel-efficient cars will result in lower oil prices.

ICAO grounded, IMO adrift – EU must act!

Opinion
By Bill Hemmings - T&E Programme Manager
A trip to the beautiful Canadian city of Montreal would normally be a pleasure, but few who attended this month’s general assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) will remember their trip fondly. It’s tempting to thank one’s lucky stars that these assemblies only take place every three years, but the urgent need to combat aviation’s contribution to climate change makes that no blessing. The situation is as complicated as it is frustrating, but it’s important to take a step back from the wrangling in corridors and backrooms, and think clearly about what needs to be done, not just with aviation but also with its bedfellow, international shipping.

EU classifies tar sands a ‘high greenhouse gas’ source but makes concession to Canada

Canada has achieved a partial victory over the EU on the issue of how the environmental impact of transport fuels derived from tar sands should be assessed. The Commission has agreed to delay by a year the greenhouse gas intensity value it gives to tar sands, but it has made clear it views the fuel as a ‘high greenhouse gas intensity’ source.

Commission criticised by its own monitor

The EU’s ombudsman has found the Commission guilty of ‘maladministration’ over the failure to release correspondence between Brussels and European car makers.

German ministers vote against mega-trucks

A political battle has broken out in Germany over whether trials planned for next year with oversized lorries – so-called ‘mega-trucks’ – should be allowed to take place.

Better future for e-cars than renewables

A leading bank says it expects the market for electric vehicles to be bigger than the market for renewable energy over the next 10 years.

Porsche fined over misleading data

A court in Germany has fined the sports car maker Porsche €20 000 for giving false information about its cars’ fuel consumption and climate emissions in a magazine published by the company.

Tackling motorised two-wheelers

The Commission has published a proposal to improve the safety and emissions performance of motorcycles and other vehicles with fewer than four wheels.

Transport & Environment Rue d'Edimbourg, 26 Brussels, 1050 Read the VerticalResponse marketing policy.

Try Email Marketing with VerticalResponse!