EEA EFTA States welcome the European Strategy for Sustainable and Smart Mobility

EEA EFTA States welcome the European Strategy for Sustainable and Smart Mobility

Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway have submitted a joint EEA EFTA Comment on the European Strategy for Sustainable and Smart Mobility. In the Comment, the EEA EFTA States welcome the Commission’s new Mobility Strategy. They express shared ambitions to accelerate the green transition of the transport sector based on new innovative solutions and fast implementation while ensuring a level playing field.

In the framework of the European Green Deal, and in order to meet the commitments under the Paris Agreement, the EEA EFTA States recognise the urgent need to increase decarbonisation in all transport modes and to continue the joint European efforts to develop a more sustainable transport industry.

“To meet our commitments under the Paris Agreement, there is an urgent need to increase decarbonisation in all transport modes, continuing the joint European efforts to develop a more sustainable transport industry.”

The EEA EFTA States support that Europe should take the global lead to reduce climate gas emissions from transport and the emission reduction target outlined in the communication “Stepping up Europe’s 2030 climate ambition”. They also support a continued joint effort to develop and implement new technical solutions to reach the common vision of a sustainable, digital and more resilient transport sector.

Moreover, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway acknowledge the important work in this area to increase safety and security in all modes of transport. A “Vision Zero” for all transport modes should be pursued.

They welcome the new social rules in the Mobility Package, highlighting how important it is “to strengthen the enforcement in the road transport sector through increased cooperation and exchange of information, continuing the promotion of road safety, fair competition and social rights at a European level.”

The EEA EFTA States recognise the important work the European Commission and the EU have done to ensure the continuity of transport during the COVID-19 crisis. They recognise that joint cooperation and information sharing will be necessary for the recovery of the transport sector in the EEA. The EEA EFTA States support the establishment of a European pandemic contingency plan for the freight transport sector.

The Commission’s adoption of a new European Strategy for Sustainable and Smart Mobility in 2020 is a part of the European Green Deal. It was announced in the Commission Communication on the European Green Deal. Public consultations on the strategy have been open from 1 July 2020 - 23 September 2020.

Read the full text of the EEA EFTA Comment here.

A full list of EEA EFTA Comments is available here.