| Author (Person) | Davies, Eric | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Publisher | ProQuest Information and Learning | ||||||||||||||||||
| Series Title | In Focus | ||||||||||||||||||
| Series Details | 22.9.01 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Publication Date | 23/09/2001 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Content Type | News, Overview, Topic Guide | In Focus | ||||||||||||||||||
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On 12 September 2001, the Commission adopted a White Paper on the Union's future transport policy. European transport policy for 2010: time to decide includes some 60 measures intended to “refocus Europe's transport policy on the demands and needs of its citizens” over the next 10 years. Commission Vice-President for Transport and Energy, Loyola de Palacio, said “Europe's citizens deserve an efficient transport system offering a high level of quality and safety: the White Paper lays the foundations for this on the basis of a more imaginative and rational use of the different means of transport and infrastructures.” Background An introduction to the Union's transport policy can be found in The current document seeks to curb the demand for transport and to break the link between economic growth and transport growth. It is a response to the conclusions of the
The White paper envisages a sustainable transport system evolving over the next 30 years, but outlines the difficulties which have to be overcome on the way, including the 'complex equation [which] has to be solved in order to curb the demand for transport:
With reference to sustainability, the Commission accepts that 'we will not be able to adapt the common transport policy to the requirements of sustainable development unless a number of problems can be rapidly resolved'. These include: adequate funding; political determination to adopt the measures proposed in the Action Programme; a new approach to urban transport; satisfying users' needs by providing quality service. The Paper also emphasises that 'the common transport policy alone will not provide all the answers ... It must be part of an overall strategy integrating sustainable development, to include:
The White Paper The 109-page document (COM (2001) 370) comprises four main sections: Part I: Shifting the balance between modes of transport 'Some 60 specific measures to be taken at Community level' are proposed in an Action Programme (Annex I) which will run until 2010, and which will be monitored and reviewed. The Commission wants to ensure that the development of transport in Europe goes hand in hand with an efficient, high-quality and safe service for citizens. The measures outlined are intended to shift the balance between modes of transport by 2010, through revitalising the railways, promoting maritime and inland waterway transport and linking up different modes of transport. Detailed proposals, which will have to be approved by the Commission, will be based on the following guidelines:
To help improve the decision-making process within the Union, the Commission suggests that decisions in the Council on transport issues should be taken on the basis of qualified majority, rather than the 'present practice of systematically seeking a consensus.' Enlargement will soon extend the Union's transport policy to some 30 countries, and the Commission believes the EU 'needs to rethink its international role if it is to succeed in developing a sustainable transport system and tackling the problems of congestion and pollution.' The Commission points out that the EU per se has only observer status in most intergovernmental organisations (IGOs), and proposes that the Community itself should accede to transport-related IGOs where it could speak with a single voice. Air transport Inevitably the White Paper includes a number of references to air transport. To tackle the over-fragmentation of the Union's air traffic management systems, it is considered 'imperative' to establish Community legislation on air traffic and to introduce effective cooperation with both military authorities and Eurocontrol. However, the 'inevitable expansion of airport capacity' (partly associated with enlargement of the EU) must be subject to new regulations to reduce noise and pollution caused by aircraft. The air industry's dependence on the international context is recognised, with a call for the Union 'to develop an external dimension for air transport'. The Commission proposes reinforcing the position of the Community within the International Civil Aviation Organisation and giving European airlines 'Community nationality' in relations with third countries. The Paper acknowledges the major European airlines' need to operate worldwide, particularly on profitable transatlantic routes ('the common transatlantic area will create the biggest liberalised airspace in the world'). What the White Paper does not do, of course, is assess the impact on air travel - and other modes of transportation - of the terrorist attacks in the United States. Early indications are that the impact has been significant, with airlines and 'plane makers in both the US and Europe announcing cuts in flights and in manufacturing output; direct job losses are already high, and the loss of associated employment in, for example, the tourist industry, will push the figure into hundreds of thousands. Meeting in extraordinary session on 14 September 2001, the Transport Council [pdf] focused on the security aspects of the US attacks. The White Paper was discussed by Ministers during an informal Transport and Environment Council on 14-16 September 2001, but the press release issued afterwards makes no reference to the apparent crisis developing in the air transport sector. If the situation is as serious as it currently appears to be, then the Commission might be expected to review the White Paper sooner rather than later. It is worth noting, however, that although substantial reductions in flight numbers might be only a short-term response, if the trend is maintained in the longer-term then the environment could benefit - which is one of the White paper's aims. Further information within European Sources Online: European Sources Online: Topic Guide:
European Sources Online: European Voice
Further information can be seen in these external links: European Commission DG Energy and Transport Eurostat European Environment Agency BBC News Guardian Unlimited AviationNow.com Benchmarking European Sustainable Transport (BEST) European Federation for Transport and Environment European Sea Ports Organisation
International Road Transport Union
Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty World Travel and Tourism Council National Ministries responsible for transport issues:
Eric Davies On 12 September 2001, the European Commission adopted a White Paper on the Union's future transport policy outlining a number of measures aimed at meeting the demands and needs of EU citizens that could be introduced over the next 10 years. |
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| Subject Categories | Mobility and Transport |
