At a glance: the last plenary session of this term is currently under way. In Strasbourg, Parliament will mark the 20th anniversary of the 2004 EU enlargement round, MEPs are set to renew the EU’s commitment to finishing major trans-European transport projects, and there will be a final vote on new rules to reduce, reuse and recycle packaging.

News in Brief – 23/04/2024 - English

Road transport is a major contributor to climate change, accounting for over a quarter of road transport CO2 emissions. The European Commission proposes to revise the legislation setting CO2 emission standards for new heavy-duty vehicles in the EU. The proposed revision would expand the scope of the existing regulation to include urban buses, coaches, trailers and other types of lorries. It will also require that the average CO2 emissions of heavy-duty vehicles, would have to fall by 45 % from 2030, by 65 % from 2035, and by 90 % from 2040 onwards, compared with 2019 levels.

EPRS policy podcast - CO₂ emission performance standards and reporting obligations for new heavy-duty vehicles

Antimicrobial-resistant infections are predicted to become the second biggest cause of death worldwide by 2050. Despite increasing investment in the development of new antimicrobials, awareness campaigns on antimicrobial misuse and abuse, and monitoring of antimicrobial use and resistance in animals, humans and the environment, antimicrobial resistance continues to grow and the last three decades have not seen even one novel antimicrobial class reach the market. Could the answer lie in a 'Trojan horse' strategy to disrupt a natural physiological process common to all bacteria?

EPRS STOA podcast - What if a 'Trojan horse' strategy could help address antimicrobial resistance?

The European Commission proposed to expand the scope of the existing EU rules on the deployment of intelligent transport systems (ITS) in road transport to cover new and emerging challenges and to make essential ITS services mandatory across the EU. The proposal seeks to resolve problems stemming from the lack of interoperability and continuity of the existing applications and services, but also from the low level of availability and sharing of the data supporting ITS services. Finally, it aims to ensure effective concertation and cooperation among stakeholders.

EPRS policy podcast - Intelligent road transport systems

On average, women only account for around 16 % of total employees in the main transport sectors (land transport, water transport and aviation). In view of emerging labour shortages in these vital economic sectors, worsened by the coronavirus pandemic, experts say the percentage of female transport workers needs to increase.

Women in transport - english

As part of the 'Fit for 55' package, the Commission presented a legislative proposal to review the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS). The aim of the review is to align the EU ETS Directive with the EU target set out in the European Climate Law to reduce net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 55 % by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. To this end, the amount of emission allowances would be reduced, fewer allowances would be allocated for free, and the ETS would be extended to maritime transport. This would reduce emissions in the ETS sectors by 61 % by 2030, compared to 2005. A separate new emissions trading system would be established for fuel distribution for road transport and buildings.

EPRS policy podcast - Review of the EU ETS: 'Fit for 55' package

The fit for 55 package is part of the Commission's European Green Deal, which aims to set the EU firmly on the path towards net zero GHG emissions (climate neutrality) by 2050. The fit for 55 package includes a regulation establishing a new social climate fund (SCF). The aim of the SCF is to help vulnerable households, micro-businesses and transport users meet the costs of the green energy transition in the buildings and road transport sector. The SCF is designed to counter the additional costs that vulnerable consumers may face when the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) Directive is revised to cover these two sectors, as proposed in the fit for 55 package. The SCF aims to provide over €72 billion in EU funding over the 2025-2032 period, to be paid for mainly by ETS credits in the buildings and road transport sectors. In this podcast, we’ll talk about the ‘social climate fund’: a new tool with which the EU aims to support lower-income groups through [...]

EPRS policy podcast - Social climate fund: Fit for 55 package

Since its early development in the 1960s, Internet infrastructure has become almost as important as electricity and transport infrastructures in contemporary societies. More and more key services such as banking, food retail, and health care, rely on Internet connections. Despite its original resilient decentralised design, the increasing importance of a few central players and centralising developments have made the Internet more vulnerable to failure. What repercussions would that entail? Listen to our podcast to know more!

EPRS STOA podcast - What if the Internet failed?

International maritime transport is the backbone of the global economy. However, vessels release emissions that pollute the air and contribute significantly to global warming. As shipping is forecast to grow, reducing these emissions is urgent, in order not to undermine emissions-reducing efforts in other areas, to keep humans healthy, preserve the environment and limit climate change.

EPRS policy podcast - Decarbonising maritime transport: The EU perspective

Despite significant medical progress over the last centuries, infectious diseases such as influenza or malaria still represent a considerable threat to society. While some are endemic to specific geographical regions, others can spread, becoming epidemics or pandemics. While the first and most crucial aspect of an epidemic is, and will always remain, the loss of human life, the spread of a virus can also have important repercussions for national or regional economies. The evidence reported in various studies indicates that epidemic disease impacts on a country's economy through several channels, including the health, transportation, agricultural and tourism sectors. At the same time, trade with other countries may also be impacted, while the interconnectedness of modern economies means that an epidemic can also implicate international supply chains....

Economic impact of epidemics and pandemics

One in six Europeans suffers from a disability and the number of those who need special assistance is growing. Air transport has become indispensable and the EU is committed to achieving better mobility in airports and on planes for those with disabilities and reduced mobility

This is what Europe does to help disabled air travellers

În fiecare zi, mii de animale vii sunt transportate către Uniune și în afara ei pentru a fi comercializate sau sacrificate. Iată cum se asigură Uniunea că animalele sunt bine tratate în timpul călătoriei.

Ce face Europa pentru persoanele preocupate de transportul animalelor

Chaque jour, des milliers d’animaux vivants sont transportés dans l’Union ou au-delà pour être vendus ou abattus. Voici comment l’Europe veille à ce qu’ils soient traités correctement pendant les trajets.

Voici ce que l’Europe fait pour vous si vous êtes soucieux du transport des animaux.

Todos os dias, milhares de animais vivos são transportados dentro e fora da UE para comercialização ou abate. Vejamos como a UE assegura que eles sejam adequadamente tratados durante a sua viagem.

Saiba o que a Europa faz pelas pessoas que se preocupam com o transporte de animais.

Każdego dnia tysiące żywych zwierząt jest transportowanych do i z UE na rynek lub do ubojni. Oto, w jaki sposób UE dba o to, by były one prawidłowo traktowane podczas podróży.

Co Europa robi dla osób zainteresowanych dobrostanem zwierząt w trakcie transportu.

Cada día se transportan miles de animales vivos dentro y fuera de la Unión Europea para su venta o matanza. Esta es la forma en que la UE garantiza que se les trata adecuadamente durante el transporte:

Esto es lo que Europa hace por las personas preocupadas por el transporte de los animales.

Every day, thousands of live animals are transported in and out of the EU to market or for slaughter. Here’s how the EU ensures that they are treated properly during their journey.

This is what Europe does for people concerned about animal transport.

Varje dag transporteras tusentals levande djur både inom EU och över EU:s gränser för att säljas eller slaktas. EU agerar för att djuren ska ha det bra under transporterna.

Det här gör EU för djurskydd i samband med transporter.

On 24 February Russian troops invaded Ukraine. Shortly before&nbsp;Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized&nbsp;two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine&nbsp; as independent.&nbsp;The Conference of Presidents of the EP condemned the Russian attack on Ukraine in the strongest possible terms. "Ukraine is an independent and sovereign nation and its territorial integrity is non-negotiable. The invasion is unjustified and illegal. It is a threat to European and regional stability, as well as to the rules-based world order. The attack targets our model of democratic society. It cannot go unanswered, " says declaration of the COP.

"The Russian invasion into Ukraine is part of President Putin’s destabilisation agenda. It is a path that will bring the Kremlin in direct confrontation with Europe and the rule-based world-order. It is a path that pits authoritarianism against democracy. It is a path that we cannot allow him to walk unchallenged," said EP President Roberta Metsola.

European Union leaders met for a special European Council in Brussels on 24 February&nbsp;and adopted a set of sanctions related to the the financial sector, the energy and transport sectors,dual-use goods, exports, Russian individuals etc.&nbsp;

Ukraine is a priority partner for the European Union (EU). The EU supports Ukraine in ensuring a stable, prosperous and democratic future for its citizens and is unwavering in its support for Ukraine’s independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty. The Association Agreement (AA), including its Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) signed in 2014, is the main tool for bringing Ukraine and the EU closer together. Since 2014, the EU and the Financial Institutions have mobilised more than €15 billion in grants and loans to support the reform process in the country, with strong conditionality on continued progress.

As a result of the cooperation with Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada in the field of democracy support, European Parliament launched on 11 March the website “<a href="https://ukraine.europarl.europa.eu/en/home.html" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">The EU stands with Ukraine</a>” (in English and Ukrainian) provides the latest news, videos and podcasts, relevant legislation and resolutions to show how the EU is helping Ukraine. Content from the Ukrainian Parliament could also be shared on the site. Actively supporting EU efforts to promote democracy and human rights in the world is one of Parliament's core responsibilities.

EU - Ukraine

MEPs and UK MPs met&nbsp;in Brussels on 3 and 4 July for the third EU-United Kingdom Parliamentary Partnership Assembly to discuss, among other issues, the state of play within the Partnership Council, EU-UK common efforts to support Ukraine, and cooperation on trade and industrial policy - including responses to the US Inflation Reduction Act.&nbsp;

EU-UK relations are changed&nbsp;following Brexit and the deal reached at the end of 2020. The United Kingdom (UK) left the European Union (EU) on 31 January 2020, after 47 years of EU membership. The UK has lost all the rights and benefits it had as an EU Member State and is no longer a part of the EU’s Single Market and Customs Union.

The EU-UK withdrawal agreement in force since 1 February 2020, ensured that the UK’s withdrawal from the EU happened in an orderly manner, and protects the rights of EU citizens and UK nationals, the EU’s financial interests, and peace and stability on the island of Ireland.

The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and the UK sets out preferential arrangements in areas such as trade in goods and in services, digital trade, intellectual property, public procurement, aviation and road transport, energy, fisheries, social security coordination, law enforcement and judicial cooperation in criminal matters, thematic cooperation and participation in Union programmes.&nbsp; In April 2021 the European Parliament voted with a large majority in favour of granting also its consent to the agreement.

EU - UK relations

Clean energy is energy produced and consumed with a minimum of greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants.

The transition to clean energy requires large investments in all areas of energy use: electricity generation, transport, heating and cooling, and also industrial activities. Reducing energy demand by means of energy efficiency measures also helps to lower the emissions associated with energy use.

Clean energy

As part of the European Green Deal, with the European Climate Law, the EU has set itself a binding target of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. This requires current greenhouse gas emission levels to drop substantially in the next decades. As an intermediate step towards climate neutrality, the EU has raised its 2030 climate ambition, committing to cutting emissions by at least 55% by 2030.

On 18 April 2023, MEPs&nbsp; adopted the reform of EU´s Emissions Trading System including for aviation and the maritime sector, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and a new Social Climate fund. The&nbsp;deal on the reform of the Emissions Trading System (ETS)&nbsp;increases the ambition for 2030, phases out free allowances to companies and creates a separate new ETS II for fuel for road transport and buildings that will put a price on emissions from these sectors by 2027.

According to the&nbsp;agreement with EU countries, an EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) will be set up to ensure that importers of goods covered by the EU ETS would have to pay any price difference between the price paid for carbon in the country of production and the price of carbon allowances in the EU ETS. This will incentivise non-EU countries to increase their climate ambition and ensure that EU and global climate efforts are not undermined by production being relocated from the EU to countries with less ambitious policies.

A separate deal with member states&nbsp;sets up an EU Social Climate Fund to ensure that the climate transition will be fair and socially inclusive. Vulnerable households, micro-enterprises and transport users who are particularly affected by energy and transport poverty will benefit from the fund. When fully in place, it will be funded from auctioning ETS II allowances up to an amount of €65 billion, with an additional 25% covered by national resources (amounting to an estimated total of €86.7 billion).

As part of the "Fit for 55 " package, thePArliamnet has also adopted during MArch 2024, plans, already agreed upon with Council, to help reduce energy consumption and greenhouse-gas emissions from the buildings sector.

The proposed revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive aims to progressively reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy consumption in the EU building sector, and make it climate neutral by 2050. It also aims to have more worst-performing buildings renovated and improve information-sharing on energy performance.

More info:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20240308IPR19003/energy-efficiency-of-buildings-meps-adopt-plans-to-decarbonise-the-sector">https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20240308IPR19003/energy-efficiency-of-buildings-meps-adopt-plans-to-decarbonise-the-sector</a>

Fit for 55

Between 1991 and 2017, and especially after 2000, the EU witnessed substantial improvements in terms of road safety, whether measured in terms of fatalities, accidents or injuries.&nbsp; Over a shorter period, between 2001 and 2010, the number of deaths on EU roads decreased by 43 %, and by around another 20 % since 2010.The most recent figures, however, show that progress in reducing the fatality rate is stagnating.

Specific road users or demographic groups are not witnessing the same improvements as the rest of the population.&nbsp;Despite being the safest region in the world, and despite sustained efforts to tackle road safety,&nbsp;around 22 700 people die on EU roads annually, with around 120 000 seriously injured.&nbsp;

Road safety is a shared competence, implying that many measures are primarily dealt with by Member States. However, the EU, has&nbsp;significantly developed the acquis in this area, with the Commission adopting several policy frameworks on road safety.

In 2003, the EU set itself a target in terms of reducing road fatalities, and regularly monitors progress towards this goal. In June 2017, the Council endorsed the Valletta Declaration, which reasserted commitments and targets in the area of road safety. In May 2018, within the context of the third and last 'mobility package', the Commission presented a common framework for road safety for the 2021-2030 period, recalling the EU’s long-term goal of moving as close as possible to zero fatalities in road transport by 2050 ('Vision Zero').

The European Parliament has adopted numerous resolutions regarding or covering road safety, calling notably for more detailed and measurable targets, more account taken of vulnerable users as well as of the safety challenges emerging from the development of connected and automated mobility.

Road safety

In June 2023 Parliament adopted its position for negotiations with member states on rules to integrate human rights and environmental impact into companies’ governance. Companies will be required to identify, and where necessary prevent, end or mitigate the negative impact of their activities on human rights and the environment such as on child labour, slavery, labour exploitation, pollution, environmental degradation and biodiversity loss.

They will also have to monitor and assess the impact of their value-chain partners including not only suppliers but also sale, distribution, transport, storage, waste-management and other areas.

The European Parliament has consistently called for more corporate accountability and mandatory due diligence legislation. The European Commission proposal was introduced on 23 February 2022. It complements other existing and upcoming legislative acts, such as the deforestation regulation, conflict minerals regulation and draft regulation prohibiting products made with forced labour.

Corporate Responsibility

Since its creation in 1993, the single market has helped to make everyday life easier for people and businesses, fuelling jobs and growth across the EU. In 2023, the EU commemorates the 30th anniversary since its creation.&nbsp;

Three decades since its creation,&nbsp; MEPs called for renewed commitment and political will from member states and EU institutions, as well as a specific action plan for 2030 and beyond, in order to further strengthen and develop the single market, especially in areas such as services, energy, telecommunications and the digital single market.

The single market is generally considered to be the cornerstone of the EU economy and one of the greatest achievements of the European Union. Comprising nearly 450 million people and 20 million enterprises, it constitutes the largest integrated market in the world, worth €14 trillion in 2018.

The free movement of persons, goods, services and capital is the pillar on which the single market is built. The cross-border movement of the first three has been severely affected by the pandemic of Covid-19. Soon after its outbreak, the majority of Member States reintroduced internal border controls on grounds of an immediate threat to public health. These have been accompanied by restrictions or bans on international passenger transport and bans on entry and exit. Naturally,

Single market

The constitutive meetings of the European Parliament's standing committees and subcommittees take place in Brussels on 10 July 2019, following the appointment of their members in the plenary sitting of 3-4 July. During the meetings, each committee and subcommittee will elect its respective bureau, made up of a Chair and Vice-Chairs, for a two-and-a-half year mandate. The newly set up committees will then start holding their regular meetings during the week of 22 July.

TRAN - Committee on Transport and Tourism

The European Parliament has regularly called for ambitious measures reducing greenhouse gas emissions in road transport.

The EP has been pushing for the implemention of its 2030 goals to be in line with the targets set by the Paris Agreement. MEPs managed to push through a higher target for reducing EU fleet-wide emissions for new cars by 2030 (40% compared to the EU Commission’s 30%; year of reference 2021). There is an intermediate target of 20% by 2025.&nbsp; Similar targets are set for new vans as well.

Car emissions

The European Union has been an advocate of animal welfare for more than 40 years and is widely recognised as a global leader, with some of the world’s best animal welfare standards. EU rules have also positively influenced legislation in non-EU countries. They mainly concern farm animals (on the farm, during transport and at slaughter), but also wildlife, laboratory animals and pets. In December 2021, Parliament’s Committee of Inquiry on the Protection of Animals during Transport (ANIT) wrapped up its work of 18 months, concluding that EU animal welfare rules are not always complied with in member states - and do not fully take into account animals’ different transport needs. The most obvious violations include a lack of headroom, water or food supply for transported animals, the shipping of animals unfit for transport and overcrowding. Vehicles that are inappropriate for transporting animals are being used, and transport sometimes take place under extreme temperature and extended journey times. To remedy the situation, the draft recommendations call on the EU Commission to update the current EU rules, to establish limits on journey time for all animal species and ages, ban the transport of very young animals below the age of 35 days, and bolster controls on live animal export. MEPs also advocate a transition to a more efficient and ethical system, that favours the transport of semen and embryos over breeding stock, and carcasses and meat over animals being moved for slaughter.

Animal welfare

Angola's partnership with the EU is based on the ACP-EU Cotonou Partnership Agreement which aims to reduce poverty by developing the Angolan economy and gradually integrating it into the global economy.

The Joint Way Forward promotes more active political cooperation, especially Angola's active involvement in the different regional and multilateral fora, and prioritises key areas of common interest from the 2007 Joint Africa-EU Strategy (security, governance, human rights, economic growth, energy, transport, environment, science and technology, training and education).

EU - Angola

The setting up of the Single Aviation Market in the late 1990s has profoundly transformed the air transport industry and has greatly contributed to the strong growth in air transport in Europe over the past twenty years.

In numerous reports, and also particularly in its resolution of 14 February 1995 entitled ‘The way forward for civil aviation in Europe’, Parliament has emphasised the need for a common policy on air transport providing for greater and fairer competition among airlines. Parliament’s support for the establishment and proper functioning of the Single Aviation Market has therefore been constant. In so doing, however, Parliament has continuously stressed that the liberalisation of air transport must be implemented cautiously and gradually and must balance the interests of both consumersand the industry.

Air Transport - 8th parliamentary term

EU rules ensure a minimum level of protection for passengers, irrespective of the mode of transport: flight, train, bus, coach or ship.

EU rail passenger rights rules have been in force since 2009. The EP’s Committee on Transport and Tourism responsible for the file, adopted its rapport on 9 October 2018. The report is due to be discussed in plenary during November 2018. Update of existing rules which aim to improve provision of information about passenger rights, clear deadlines and procedures for complaint handling, uniform application of the rules: long distance domestic and cross-border urban, suburban and regional services can no longer be exempted from the application of passenger rights rules.

In 2014, MEPs proposed new rules to improve air passenger rights. The new regulation is currently being discussed in the Council.

Passenger rights - 8th parliamentary term

The collaborative economy is based on the sharing of human and physical resources like creation, production, distribution, trade and consumption of goods and services. 

A 2016 Eurobarometer showed that 17% of European consumers have used services provided by the collaborative economy, and 52% are aware of the services offered. Peer-to-peer accommodation is the largest collaborative economy sector on the basis of generated commerce, while peer-to-peer transportation is the largest measured by platform revenue.

Collaborative economy - 8th parliamentary term

International Women’s Day is held every year on 8 March. To mark International Women’s Day, Ukrainian writer Oksana Zaboujko adressed&nbsp;MEPs,&nbsp;followed by debates on the EU’s Gender Action Plan and gender mainstreaming.

Also, in the context of&nbsp;International Women’s Day, the European Parliament commissioned a dedicated survey among European women only, to better gauge the views of women across generations, countries, and different socio-demographic characteristics in times of COVID-19.&nbsp;The <a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20220223IPR23904/new-eurobarometer-survey-highlights-severe-impact-of-covid-19-pandemic-on-women">survey results</a> show the significant impact of the pandemic at both personal and professional levels, including a severe increase in the levels of violence against women.

The European Parliament actively promotes and defends the principle of equality between men and women. Legislation, case law and changes to the Treaties have helped to implement this objective in the EU. The priorities set out in the EU’s current five-year gender equality strategy include taking account of the gender dimension in major climate change and digitalisation initiatives, and in specific sectors such as transport, energy and agriculture. The aim is to introduce an intersectional approach across EU policies and earmark dedicated funding for a gender equal future.

International Women's Day 2022

The committee of inquiry ANIT on alleged contraventions and maladministration in animal transport will primarily investigate the alleged failure of the Commission and of member states to effectively enforce numerous EU rules related to animal transport within the EU and beyond its borders.

The committee should investigate alleged violations in the application of European Union law on the protection of animals during transport - and related operations within and outside the EU, including by air, road, rail and sea.

The constituent meeting will take place on Wednesday, 23 September 2020.

ANIT - Committee of inquiry on the Protection of Animals during Transport

TRAN Committee group photo

TRAN Committee - Presentation of a study on Trends, challenges and opportunities in the transport labour market

Committee on Transport and Tourism

TRAN

Joint committee on Agriculture and Rural Development and committee on Transport and Tourism

AGRI

Joint committee on Transport and Tourism and committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

ENVI

Joint Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety and Committee on Transport and Tourism

Opening of the sitting

Statements by the President

Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting

Composition of Parliament

Verification of credentials

Composition of political groups

Composition of committees and delegations

Negotiations ahead of Parliament’s first reading (Rule 71)

Signing of acts adopted in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure (Rule 79)

Order of business

Resumption of the sitting

The European Elections 2024 (debate)

Role of tax policy in times of crisis (debate)

Small modular reactors (debate)

Minimum requirements on minimum breaks and daily and weekly rest periods in the occasional passenger transport sector (short presentation)

Foodstuffs for human consumption: amending certain 'Breakfast' Directives (short presentation)

Mental health (short presentation)

One-minute speeches on matters of political importance

Agenda of the next sitting

Approval of the minutes of the sitting

Plenary session

TRAN Committee - Exchange of views with the Verkhovna Rada on Post-war rebuilding of transport and tourism-related infrastructure in Ukraine

TRAN Committee

ENVI TRAN - Accounting of greenhouse gas emissions of transport services

TRAN Committee meeting - Meeting of the Tourism Task Force (TTF)  -Transition pathway for tourism

TRAN Committee meeting - Public hearing on Public Transport Operators

TRAN Committee meeting .Workshop on The suitability of existing post and parcel delivery legislation

ITRE Committee - Votes and group photo

TRAN  - Exchange of views with Josef Doppelbauer, the Executive Director of the European Agency for Railways (ERA)

TRAN - Exchange of views with Commissioner  Adina-Ioana VALEAN in the framework of the Structured Dialogue

ITRE - Presentation of the Belgian Presidency's priorities

TRAN  - Presentation of the priorities of the Belgian Presidency

TRAN - Workshop on the New demands and skills for the green and digital transformation of the transport and automotive sectors

ITRE - Structured dialogue with Commissioner Iliana Ivanova

TRAN Committee - Vote on  update of EU rules on driving licence in order to improve road safety and get closer to zero deaths on EU roads by 2050

TRAN.- EP Disability Rights Week: Discussion on existing barriers in the field of transports and tourism for people with disabilities

TRAN - Exchange of views with European Coordinators for the TEN-T

This infoclip shows the Ljubjana main train station and its ongoing renovation financed by the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) that will increase the efficiency of rail transport for end users, especially by eliminating the existing bottleneck in Ljubljana. In particular, the renovation of the railway station in Ljubljana will increase the capacity for freight and passenger traffic in the wider city area with the aim of reducing the use of cars by daily migrants by enabling a 15-minute frequency of passenger trains in the Ljubljana area from all five directions in the morning and afternoon rush hours. The Recovery and Resilience Facility contributes EUR 214 million to the investment worth EUR 260 million in total. The works started in December 2023 and should be finalised by mid-2026.

Infoclip: Upgrade of the railway station - Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) - Ljubljana (Slovenia)

Following her address to the Members of Slovenian National Assembly in Ljubljana, EP President Roberta METSOLA replies to the questions from all 6 deputy groups. The answers covers a broad range of topics, including but not limited to: the EU's commitment to climate action, the farming industry in the EU and the SCF (Social Climate Fund, a dedicated funding so that the most affected vulnerable groups, such as households in energy or transport poverty, are directly supported, and not left behind during the green transition), enlargment and the devoloping situation in the Middle East. This transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Address by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to the Slovenian National Assembly: Questions from all 6 deputy groups and a wrap-up reply by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

MEPs vote on the following topics: EMF Act; AI Act; Directive on alternative dispute resolution for consumer disputes; Regulation on discontinuation of the European ODR Platform; Asset recovery and confiscation; IMI and the Single Digital Gateway; Compulsory licensing for crisis management; Safety of toys; Amending Directive on waste; A single application procedure for a single permit for third-country nationals to reside and work in the Member State; European cross-border associations; Amending Regulations in the fields of road transport and aviation; Amending Directives in the fields of road transport and aviation; Minimum requirements on minimum breaks and daily and weekly rest periods in the occasional passenger transport sector; Establishing the Union Customs Code and the European Union Customs Authority; Amending Regulation on European statistics.

Voting session, including the European Media Freedom Act and the Artificial Intelligence Act

In the Tricity agglomeration (Gdańsk, Gdynia, Sopot), a large proportion of EU Cohesion funds are spent on road infrastructure. This infoclip shows the Gdańsk-Sucharski-Słowacki roads connecting Lech Wałęsa Airport with the seaport that have been built or renovated with EU Cohesion fund co-financing of 260 million euros. In Gdynia, Kwiatkowski road 41.1 million euros, Janek Wiśniewski street and the Wzgórze St. Maximilian interchange have been expanded. Using the EU support of 31.8 million euros, Tristar – an integrated traffic control system in Gdańsk, Gdynia and Sopot – has been developed and brought into use, which has shortened public transport journey times by 15%.

Infoclip: Road infrastructure - Cohesion Fund - Gdansk (Poland)

This infoclip shows the construction works for the new tram line in Tallinn (Estonia) running along a stretch of about 2.5 kilometers, starting at the intersection of Kivisilla and Gonsiori Streets and extending to Põhja Puiestee. The aim of the works is to improve the comfort of public transport, connecting Tallinn's main transport hubs and making transfers as easy as possible. The Vanasadama tram line construction works, including VAT and owner’s supervision, cost about €46 million, with €36.5 million from the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF).

Infoclip: Construction of the Old City Harbour tram line - Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) – Tallinn (Estonia)

Rising demand and geopolitical tensions can complicate access to resources vital for technology and industry.             
The European Parliament has approved a new law to help secure supplies of raw materials needed for smartphones, electric vehicles, solar panels and more.        
         
The Critical Raw Materials Act will boost the EU’s strategic autonomy, create jobs and drive the green and digital transitions.      
            
Find out more in our short explainer video.     

Securing critical raw materials for the EU’s digital and green transitions  

MEPs vote on the following subjects: Setting up of four interparliamentary delegations; Foodstuffs for human consumption: amending certain 'Breakfast' Directives; Fees and charges payable to the European Medicines Agency; Recognition of professional qualifications: nurses responsible for general care trained in Romania; Authorisation addressed to France to negotiate a bilateral agreement with Algeria on matters related to judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters; Authorisation addressed to France to negotiate a bilateral agreement with Algeria on matters related to judicial cooperation concerning family law matters; Partial renewal of Members of the Court of Auditors; EC/Kiribati Fisheries Partnership Agreement (2023-2028); Minimum requirements on minimum breaks and daily and weekly rest periods in the occasional passenger transport sector; and other topics.

Voting session

The Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) votes its draft report on the Driving Licenses Directive, which is part of the Road Safety Package. The directive primarily seeks to improve the road safety through streamlined requirements for novice drivers, accompanied driving schemes as well as provisions related to physical and mental fitness. Another important goal of this piece of legislation is to improve the freedom of movement within the European Union.

Press conference by Karima DELLI (Greens/EFA, FR), rapporteur after the vote on EU driving license rules

The Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) votes its draft report on the Driving Licenses Directive, which is part of the Road Safety Package. The directive primarily seeks to improve the road safety through streamlined requirements for novice drivers, accompanied driving schemes as well as provisions related to physical and mental fitness. Another important goal of this piece of legislation is to improve the freedom of movement within the European Union. This news item shows extracts from the vote and the statement by Karima DELLI, (Greens/EFA, FR), Rapporteur.

EU rules on driving license: extracts from the vote and statement by Karima DELLI, (Greens/EFA, FR), Rapporteur

MEPs of the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) vote on two reports from the Road Safety package: the Cross-Border Exchange of information Directive, and the one on Union-wide effect of driving disqualifications. This news item shows footage with extracts from the votes and the statements by Petar VITANOV (S&D, BG) and Kosma ZŁOTOWSKI (ECR, PL), Rapporteurs.

Cross-border exchange of information on road-safety and driving disqualifications: extracts from the votes statements by Petar VITANOV (S&D, BG) and Kosma ZŁOTOWSKI (ECR, PL), Rapporteurs

MEPs debates a deal on next year’s EU budget aimed at addressing global challenges and supporting young people and research. Parliament obtained better support, totalling almost €670 million in funding, for its priorities on top of what the Commission had initially proposed in its draft budget for 2024. The increases include €250 million for Humanitarian Aid, €150 million for the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument- Global Europe programme, €85 million for Horizon Europe, €30 million for transport infrastructure, €60 million to Erasmus+, €20 million to LIFE, €20 million for young farmers, €10 million for the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, and €10 million for Military Mobility. Opening statements by Siegfried MUREȘAN (EPP, RO) and Nils UŠAKOVS (S&D, LV), Rapporteurs. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Outcome of the Conciliation on 2024 budgetary procedure: opening statements by Johan VAN OVERTVELDT (ECR, BE), Siegfried MUREȘAN (EPP, RO) and Nils UŠAKOVS (S&D, LV), Rapporteurs, Esperanza SAMBLAS, Secretary of State and Johannes HAHN, EC

MEPs debate and vote on on strengthening requirements for heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs), such as buses, trucks and trailers, to reduce their CO2 emissions. They propose that the targets should be set at 45% for the period 2030-2034, 70% for 2035-2039 (compared to 65% proposed by the Commission) and 90% as of 2040. They also agree that newly registered urban buses should be zero-emission vehicles from 2030. Background: On 14 February 2023, the Commission tabled a legislative proposal to set CO2 standards for heavy-duty vehicles from 2030 onwards to help reach the EU’s objective to be climate neutral by 2050 and lower the demand for imported fossil fuels. Heavy-duty vehicles, such as trucks, city buses and long-distance buses, are responsible for more than 25% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from road transport in the EU and account for over 6% of total EU GHG emissions.

Strengthening the CO2 emission performance targets for new heavy-duty vehicles: closing statements by Wopke HOEKSTRA, European Commissioner for Climate Action and by Bas EICKHOUT (Greens/EFA, NL), Rapporteur

Strengthening the CO2 emission performance targets for new heavy-duty vehicles: MEPs debate

MEPs debate and vote on on strengthening requirements for heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs), such as buses, trucks and trailers, to reduce their CO2 emissions. They propose that the targets should be set at 45% for the period 2030-2034, 70% for 2035-2039 (compared to 65% proposed by the Commission) and 90% as of 2040. They also agree that newly registered urban buses should be zero-emission vehicles from 2030. Background: On 14 February 2023, the Commission tabled a legislative proposal to set CO2 standards for heavy-duty vehicles from 2030 onwards to help reach the EU’s objective to be climate neutral by 2050 and lower the demand for imported fossil fuels. Heavy-duty vehicles, such as trucks, city buses and long-distance buses, are responsible for more than 25% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from road transport in the EU and account for over 6% of total EU GHG emissions. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Strengthening the CO2 emission performance targets for new heavy-duty vehicles: opening statements by Bas EICKHOUT (Greens/EFA, NL), Rapporteur, Miapetra KUMPULA-NATRI (S&D, FI), Andris AMERIKS (S&D, LV) and Wopke HOEKSTRA, EC for Climate Action

The Recovery and Resilience Mechanism (RRM) is a temporary instrument that forms the centerpiece of the NextGenerationEU funds. The Swedish recovery and resilience plan has responded to the urgent need to foster a strong recovery, while making the Swedish economy and society more resilient and prepared for the future through the €3.2 billion allocated to the country. On green transportation, €148 million will be invested in strengthening support to improve railway capacity. For instance,more than 60 km of Swedish railway tracks were upgraded and 6 switches were replaced on the Gävle-Åänge route. The ultimate goal is to increase rail capacity and enable more people and companies to use rail as a means of transport.

Infoclip: Railway infrastructure upgrade - Recovery and Resilience Fund (RRF) - Gävle-Vallvik (Sweden)

This news item shows extracts from the signature of six COD LEX texts by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and José Manuel ALBARES BUENO, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on behalf of the Spanish Presidency of the Council. The six COD LEX texts are about consumer credits, ensuring a level playing field for sustainable air transport , on the promotion of energy from renewable sources, on geographical indication protection for craft and industrial products, on establishing the European defence industry Reinforcement through common Procurement Act and on the labelling of organic pet food.

LEX signing ceremony: signature of six COD LEX texts by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and José Manuel ALBARES BUENO, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on behalf of the Spanish Presidency of the Council

The new Euro 7 emission standards will ensure that cars, vans, lorries and buses are much cleaner, in real driving conditions that better reflect the situation in cities where air pollution problems are largest, and for a much longer period than under current rules. It tackles emissions from tailpipes as well as from brakes and tyres. Battery electric vehicles also still cause pollution from brakes and microplastics from tyres. In 2035, Euro 7 will lower total NOx emissions from cars and vans by 35% compared to Euro 6, and by 56% compared to Euro VI from buses and lorries. At the same time, particles from the tailpipe will be lowered by 13% from cars and vans, and 39% from buses and lorries, while particles from the brakes of a car will be lowered by 27%.This infoclip shows cars, vans, lorries and buses in city environments in Granada, Spain and Brussels, Belgium.

Infoclip: Euro 7 regulation for cars, vans, lorries and buses

Have you ever used an app to help get you to your destination? How long would it take by car? What's the best route? Could public transport get you there faster?
 
The better the data available to the app, the more accurate the answers. MEPs have passed new rules to ensure the information about roads needed by connected vehicles and journey planners is more easily available across the EU.
 
Intelligent transport systems will make our roads safer, greener and more efficient.

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