Transport connects people, cultures, cities, countries and continents. It is one of the main pillars of modern societies and economies, enabling producers to sell their products around the world and travelers to discover new places. Transport networks also ensure access to key public services such as education and healthcare, contributing to a better quality of life. Transport connections help stimulate remote economies, create jobs and distribute wealth.
But the current transportation model also has drawbacks. The transportation sector has huge negative impacts on the environment and human health: Transport is responsible for around a quarter of the EU’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and causes air and noise pollution and habitat fragmentation.
More specifically, the automotive sector is the only major economic sector in Europe that has seen an increase in greenhouse gases since 1990, and it is also the largest contributor to nitrogen oxide emissions that are harmful to health and the environment.Similarly, road transport is one of the main sources of ambient noise pollution in Europe.
As demand has increased, the overall energy efficiency of new cars, vans, trucks, planes and ships has also improved, but not at the same pace as total emissions from transportation. The sheer volume of transportation activity impacts greenhouse gas emissions, and demand for all types of transportation is expected to increase.
Europe aims to become climate neutral by 2050. This cannot be achieved without a sustainable mobility system based on cleaner and more active transport, cleaner fuels and reducing the need to travel where possible.
