Road transport operators and public transport authorities are jointly calling on the environmental committee of the European Parliament (ENVI) to support the extension of ETS, the Emissions Trading System, to road transport (ETS II) only if it is fit for purpose.
IRU, representing commercial road transport operators, and UITP, representing urban, suburban and regional public transport operators and authorities, have signed a joint letter to members of the European Parliament ahead of ENVI’s important upcoming decision on ETS II.
Both organisations see the potential benefits of a well-structured ETS II, but both are concerned about the evolution of ETS II in ENVI and in particular the possible exclusion of private and light vehicles, leaving only commercial and heavy-duty vehicles for the purpose of ETS II in a first stage.
Raluca Marian, IRU’s EU Director of Advocacy, said, “Road transport operators are very concerned that ETS II discussions in ENVI are going in a direction which is no longer about decarbonisation. A fit for purpose ETS needs a universal set price for CO2 to foster the greening of all vehicles on the road.
“An ETS II that only includes commercial and heavy-duty vehicles, excluding cars and vans in a first stage, will do the opposite, sending a strong counterproductive signal to EU citizens and businesses against the vital role of public transport, collective mobility and efficient goods transportation in greening our roads. Even more cars and vans on already congested EU roads: is this what the ENVI committee of the Parliament really want?” she added.
Thomas Avanzata, Spokesperson for UITP’s EU Committee, said, “Public transport not only benefits the climate but also positively congestion, air pollution and quality of urban life.
“An effective EU ETS II should multiply these benefits and provide not just strong financial support and certainty for our sector, but also help to reinvigorate public transport networks so the most vulnerable populations and transport users are not left behind.”