The role of modal shift in achieving transport decarbonisation objectives

Abstract

The European Green Deal strives to transform Europe into the world’s first carbon neutral continent by 2050. This commitment places a particular responsibility on the transport sector, which accounts for a quarter of the EU’s total greenhouse gas emissions. While a combination of measures will have to be considered, this panel explores the role of modal shift in placing the transport sector on a firm path to sustainable and smart mobility. The EU’s modal shift strategy sets out that rail freight traffic should increase by 50% by 2030 and double by 2050, whereas transport by inland waterways and short sea shipping should increase by 25% by 2030 and by 50% by 2050. To advance the delivery of these objectives, the Commission has declared 2021 as the European Year of Rail. What measures should be implemented to better manage and increase the capacity of railways and inland waterways? While COVID-19 has brought to light more prominently the higher safety and reliability of rail freight, which in turn, has provided efficient cross-border cargo connections carrying large volumes of essential goods using minimal human resources, how can we sustain this improved performance into the post-COVID-19 period? Can the COVID-19 aftermath be transformed into an opportunity for railway undertakings to tap into unused potential and develop more rail passenger services, especially in cross-border contexts? What are the technical and regulatory barriers, as well as the possible solutions and legislative opportunities to turn the EU’s modal shift objectives into reality?