OREANDA-NEWS. The global shift towards low-carbon, circular economy has started and its pace is accelerating. To ensure Europe stays competitive and will be able to respond to the increasing mobility needs of people and goods, the Commission's low-emission mobility strategy sets clear and fair guiding principles to Member States to prepare for the future. The Energy Union strategy contributes to this goal.

The low-emission mobility strategy frames the initiatives that the Commission is planning in the coming years, and it maps the areas in which it is exploring options. It also shows how initiatives in related fields are linked and how synergies can be achieved. It should be seen as one of the tools to modernise the European economy and strengthen its Internal Market.

The main elements of the Strategy:

-   Increasing the efficiency of the transport system by making the most of digital technologies, smart pricing and further encouraging the shift to lower emission transport modes,

-   Speeding up the deployment of low-emission alternative energy for transport, such as advanced biofuels, renewable electricity and renewable synthetic fuels and removing obstacles to the electrification of transport

-   Moving towards zero-emission vehicles. While further improvements to the internal combustion engine will be needed, Europe needs to accelerate the transition towards low- and zero-emission vehicles[1].

Cities and local authorities are crucial for the delivery of this strategy. They are already implementing incentives for low-emission alternative energies and vehicles, encouraging modal shift to active travel (cycling and walking), public transport and/or shared mobility schemes, such as bike, car-sharing and car-pooling, to reduce congestion and pollution.

Finally, this Strategy reiterates Europe's commitment in pursuing global efforts to control emissions frominternational aviation and maritime transport.

A strategy to support jobs, growth, investment and innovation:

Strengthening Europe's competitiveness and stimulating the economy is a priority of the Juncker Commission:

-   The strategy integrates a broader set of measures to support Europe's transition to low-carbon economy. It identifies key priorities, forexample in research and innovation in low-emission mobility solutions, providing clarity for future investment decisions.

-   Manufacturing and service industries will be able to plan their investments and make business choices with a mid-century goal in mind. Europe's transition towards low- and zero-emission vehicles will be accelerated, fuel efficiency of lorries and coaches will need to step up. Barriers for innovative mobility services need to be removed.

-   The energy sector and fuel suppliers will be able to plan investments into advanced energy for transport, such as advanced biofuels.

-   Transport is an important employer. Workers will receive help in acquiring the necessary skills to match the technological transition towards low-emission mobility, in the framework of the New Skills Agenda for Europe.

-   This Strategy provides a toolbox for policy makers in Member States, at regional and local level to design their strategies for low-emission mobility close to where the problems are felt most.

 Available funding to support actions:

The Strategy draws on existing mechanisms and funds. President Juncker's Investment Plan for Europe plays a very important role, with significant progress already made with projects that are in the pipeline for funding under the European Fund for Strategic Investment. In addition, EUR 70 billion is available for transport under the European Structural and Investment Fund, including EUR 39 billion for supporting the move towards low-emission mobility, of which EUR 12 billion for low-carbon and sustainable urban mobility alone. Under the research programme Horizon2020, EUR 6.4 billion are available for low-carbon mobility projects.

Benefits for the European citizens and consumers:

Once fully implemented in the Member States will lead to improvements in air quality, the reduction in noise levels, lower congestion levels and improved safety.

Consumers will benefit from more efficient, less-energy consuming cars. Consumers will also benefit from better infrastructure for alternative fuels, better links between modes of transport and better safety and fewer delays thanks to roll-out of digital technologies.

Better information will allow them to make informed choices for their daily mobility needs. For example, car labelling will be reviewed, and the respective benefits of alternative fuels will be made