The transition to a long-term sustainable transport system

Background

The Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU has requested an exploratory opinion in the field of transport as it deems important to speed up the transition to a long-term sustainable transport system. For the EU to lead the way in the green transition, it is important to figure out the needs of users and citizens today and in the run up to 2050 and see how they can be met.

Key points

According to the EESC:

1) Citizens and businesses will only actively support the transition to a long-term sustainable transport system if it is implemented in a way that is financially acceptable and socially feasible. Otherwise, there is a serious risk of failure and social unrest.

2) This means:

• businesses must feel they are not burdened with excessive costs and will retain competitiveness;
• employees must be given the possibility to adapt to new working conditions in a socially acceptable manner;
• citizens must be granted accessibility and mobility at a reasonable cost and under good general conditions, both in cities and rural areas.

3) Particular attention should be paid to transport infrastructure, in particular for the distribution of alternative fuels, to transport accessibility, use of clean fuels, integration of modes of transport, implementation of innovations and new modes of transport.

Additional information

Section: Transport, Energy, Infrastructure and the Information Society (TEN)

Opinion number: TEN/795

Opinion type: Exploratory opinion Presidency

Rapporteur: Stefan Back (Employers - Group I / Sweden)

Co-rapporteur: Mateusz Szymański (Workers - Group II / Poland)

Date of adoption by section: 12 April 2023

Result of the vote: 71 in favour, 0 against, 0 abstentions

Date of adoption in plenary: 26-27 April 2023

Result of the vote: 159 in favour, 0 against, 1 abstention

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