Parliament calls for shift towards sustainable transport policy

On 2 December, the European Parliament adopted an initiative report outlining its position on urban mobility, which was drafted by Green MEP Karima Delli.

After the vote, rapporteur Delli said: "The European Parliament has today voted in favour of reorienting of transport policy in our cities and ensuring it can respond to major challenges facing the sector today. We need to ensure the transport sector shifts towards renewable and truly sustainable energy sources and, ultimately, this means shifting away from car dominated systems and fossil fuels like diesel and petrol.

"Transport has major implications for climate change, public health and the environment. The sector is responsible for 70% of urban greenhouse gas emissions, whilst over 400,000 people die prematurely each year from air pollution, to which transport is a major contributor. We urgently need more proactive policy action to change this. As again highlighted by the Volkswagen scandal, this also implies rigorous air pollution laws that are properly enforced.

"The report adopted today during the COP21 UN climate summit, calls for a clear timeline for the reduction of CO2 emissions from urban transport. It also calls for the introduction of car emissions tests based on real driving conditions and without the loopholes currently being considered. Cities should develop sustainable transport plans including low emissions zones, safe speed limits, alternating traffic, affordable public transport and improved cycling infrastructure. The report also urges a greater implementation of smart transport systems, which aim to limit traffic, for example by developing car sharing or real time traffic information. Revenue from tolls or road taxes should be devoted to sustainable mobility projects."

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