European ministers adopt Graz Declaration for clean mobility

Transport and environment ministers from across the European Union (EU) outlined their vision for a new era of clean mobility at a recent summit in Graz, Austria.

The "Graz Declaration" was the result of discussions at the Informal Meeting of Environment and Transport Ministers from 29-30 October, which was held under Austria's Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Under the heading “Starting a new era: clean, safe and affordable mobility for Europe”, the document details the ways in which mobility should help Europe achieve its climate goals for 2030 set out in the Paris Agreement of 2016.

The Declaration outlined the need for further action in five main areas:

  • Clean vehicles and decarbonised fuel options,
  • Strategies for sustainable mobility management and planning;
  • Active mobility to promote health and sustainability;
  • Safe and inclusive mobility;
  • Multimodality and infrastructure.

The shift to clean and zero‑emission vehicles and promotion of alternative fuels sits at the heart of the Declaration and its aim to improve "the safety, health and quality of life of European citizens in cities and regions."

To accelerate the market introduction of low- and zero-emission such vehicles, funding and financial incentives at EU and national level is suggested, alongside the development of the appropriate charging infrastructure.

Other key priorities were summarised by Norbert Hofer, Austria's Transport Minister:

“Digitalisation, consistent investment in infrastructure expansion for public transport, cleaner freight logistics, mobility management, affordable mobility services as well as socially fair mobility and transport safety aspects". These should be combined "to create a fully integrated transport system.”

Based on the measures it proposes, the Graz Declaration calls on the European Commission to develop and implement appropriate strategies and packages by 2021.

The importance of clean mobility to serve as an impetus for green economic growth, creating new opportunities for businesses and green jobs, and ensuring the competitiveness of  Europe's transport and automotive industry is also emphasised.

For more information on the Graz Declaration, click here.

To download the full document, click here (in EN).

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