Times are changing, but transport still accounts for a quarter of EU’s greenhouse gas emissions. That’s not all: transport emissions are even growing. Becoming the world’s first climate-neutral continent by 2050 represents the greatest challenge and opportunity, so today the European Commission presented the European Green Deal, the ”most ambitious package of measures that should enable European citizens and businesses to benefit from sustainable green transition” – the European Commission says.
We are talking about an initial roadmap of key policies that will be set into legislation and presented within the next three months under a proposal for a ‘European Climate Law’: among the key policies, the European Commission explicitly mentions the commitment to accelerate the shift to Sustainable and Smart Mobility. The European Commission will focus on boosting multimodal and connected mobility by supporting – via EU funding instruments – projects and services that can reduce congestion and pollution in urban areas. It will also propose more stringent air pollutant emissions standards for combustion-engine vehicles.
”The European Green Deal is an important initiative to protect our planet and contribute to a sustainable future: the question is how to practically make it successful’’ – CONEBI’s GM Manuel Marsilio states. ‘’Bicycles and E-Bikes should be placed at the core of that success and supported by EU and national policies that can foster sales. For example, we call on the European Institutions to adopt a good proposal on VAT rates so that EU governments can eventually make a more targeted use of VAT rates, like VAT reduction on the purchase of bicycles, e-bikes and accessories.’’
