Independent journal on economy and transport policy
07:43 GMT+2
CENTRO INTERNAZIONALE STUDI CONTAINERS
ANNO XXXVIII - Numero MARZO 2020
RAIL TRANSPORT
'YEAR OF RAIL 2021 MUCH NEEDD AND PERFECTLY TIMED'
"Various railway organisations have welcomed the
proposal of the European Commission to designate 2021 as the
European Year of Rail. They believe that it should serve as an
opportunity to deliver a much-needed legal framework that meets the
needs of rail freight."
UIC welcomes the recent announcement celebrating 2021 as the
"European Year of Rail". "This EU initiative will
allow all the actors of the sector to demonstrate the advantages of
rail", the overarching railway group said. Likewise, lobby
organisation ERFA celebrated the proposal, saying it is well aligned
with the European Commissions proposed Climate Law.
Also combined transport group UIRR linked the Year of Rail with
the Climate Law, encouraging the European Parliament and the
governments of the Member States in the European Council to enact
both. The Climate Law proposes setting a binding target of reaching
net-zero carbon by 2050. It is impossible to achieve this objective
if transport emissions are not addressed, is the general belief.
Much needed
In 2017, 27 per cent of all greenhouse gas emissions came from
transport. Railways accounted for 0.5 per cent of these emissions.
Thus, it represents the best means by which to bring EU transport
emissions under control, the parties agree. A significant modal
shift is therefore essential.
"Combined transport is the technique by which very low
emission electric rail, as well as waterborne modes can be most
efficiently inserted into longer distance freight transport chains.
Subsequently, it will have to play a major role to achieve the
climate neutrality of surface freight transport in the European
Union", UIRR commented.
Legal texts
Conor Feighan, ERFA Secretary General, added: "The proposed
European Year of Rail is well timed given that 2021 will be an
important moment for the future of rail freight. 2021 will see the
tabling of some key legal texts, such as the revision of the Rail
Freight Corridors Regulation, which will play a pivotal role in
determining whether rail freight can reach its true potential.
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