Transportation Emissions on the Evolving European Agenda

Transportation emissions account for one-fourth of Europe’s greenhouse gas emissions, and they pose serious local public health problems in all European countries. Transportation’s black carbon emissions—which are particulate matter—are also major contributors to climate change as well as health problems. Although motor vehicles are the primary source of emissions within the transportation sector, the emissions from maritime shipping, aviation and railroads also contribute to climate change and public health problems. EU elections in 2019 changed the policy agenda for the European Parliament and the Commission, as their new members in both were more supportive of action on climate change and other environmental issues. Action on transportation, furthermore, has been among the priorities on the lists of sectors needing action. However, there have been policy conflicts among member states, among party coalitions in the Parliament and among members of the Commission. This chapter focuses on specific policy issues concerning emissions in the motor vehicle, maritime shipping, aviation and railroad modes, and it analyzes them in the context of pandemic-induced economic recovery programs.