T&E

Commission's 'future of transport' strategy needs a reality check says T&E

The European Commission has published its vision for the future of transport policy in the European Union. But the paper completely underestimates the challenges and proposes no concrete solutions, according to Transport and Environment.

Transport set for greater EC attention as emissions again hold back EU action

Hints that transport will be targeted by the new Commission in its next stage of reducing greenhouse gases have been dropped by three leading officials.

Industry and NGOs say Icao has lost control

Representatives of 15 governments have agreed a 'programme of action' that recommends a 'global aspirational goal' of cutting 2% per year in fuel consumption from international aircraft. NGOs say it is effectively a decision to do nothing.

Obama shepherds deal with car makers to improve fuel efficiency of US vehicles

The US president Barack Obama has launched a plan to regulate vehicle emissions in America from 2012 which has the agreement of leading car makers.

New studies cast more doubt on �mega-trucks�

The introduction of longer and heavier lorries on European roads would lead to an increase in CO2 emissions from freight transport according to a new study by the Fraunhofer Institute in Germany.

Scrappage payouts questionable on economic grounds

A study by a German economics institute has heavily criticised car 'scrappage' schemes as distorting competition, subsidising cars, and creating problems for the future.

Shipping can gain from cutting climate impact

A new study published by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), says shipping is responsible for almost 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. But it says the shipping sector could reduce its climate impact by at least 20% and make financial gains.

Australia calls for tough stance on aviation, shipping and climate change

Bonn, Germany � In an attempt to break the political deadlock preventing action on international aviation and shipping emissions, Australia has called for reduction targets for these sectors to be agreed at the Copenhagen climate talks in December. In an indictment of the failure of the UN bodies responsible over the twelve years since the Kyoto protocol was adopted, Australia is effectively calling for the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to be stripped of their responsibility for developing and implementing reduction targets. Environmental groups have welcomed the move and called on the European Union to support it.

Environment groups: European Commission off target

The environmental record of the outgoing European Commission is worryingly off target, the �Green 10� coalition of leading environmental organisations said today in Brussels. Environmental groups published an assessment of the Barroso Commission, giving it an overall mark of 4.4/10.

Call for experts: price sensitivity of road freight transport

Transport and Environment (T&E) has launched a call for proposals for a study investigating the price sensitivity of road freight transport in Europe. To see the terms of reference click here. Interested? Contact Nina Renshaw. The deadline for proposals is 9 June 2009.

Challenge to EU as California accepts land use impact of biofuel production

California has raised the bar on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transport by approving the world's first law that takes into account the indirect changes in land use caused by the production of biofuels. T&E has challenged the EU to follow California's example.

Climate impact of aviation greater than IPCC report

A group of experts reporting to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has increased dramatically the figure it believes aviation contributes to climate change.

Environmental and health impact of shipping seriously underestimated

New research suggests that governments have been seriously underestimating the levels of pollution from shipping.

So how much will really change under President Obama?

Guest column by Dr Alan C Lloyd, president of The International Council on Clean Transportation, USA The election of an American president with a much stronger environmental agenda has increased the likelihood that more favourable climate policies will come from the USA in the next four years.

Bike 'scrappage' bonus offered in Germany

A number of German cities are developing the 'car scrappage' idea by offering subsidies for people to buy new bicycles.

Call for withdrawal of EU loans for Slovakian motorway

Environmental groups in Slovakia have written to the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), asking them not to give loans for a �570 million public-private partnership for the Turany-Hubova section of the D1 motorway.

LEZ boosts Berlin air quality

Initial results from Berlin's Low Emissions Zone (LEZ) show some encouraging results.

Call for experts: electric cars

Friends of the Earth Europe, Greenpeace European Unit and Transport & Environment are seeking an expert to carry out the study: 'Can we make electric cars truly �green�?'. To see the Terms of Reference click here. Interested? Contact Nusa Urbancic at T&E. The deadline for proposals is 5 June 2009.

Forget about scrapping cars; scrap the subsidies instead

Jos Dings writes in today's Financial Times: Your editorial on car scrapping schemes (Crushing problems, April 14) was scathing, and accurate. However, your contention that 'new cars tend to be better than old ones' is only partly true.

Obligatory tyre labelling on fuel, noise and safety a step closer

Motorists should soon be able to get more information on which tyres cut their fuel consumption, which improve their safety and which are quieter, following a vote in the European Parliament's industry committee last month.