of certain liquid fuels, Regulation (EU) of the European Parliament and of the
Council No 2018/1999 (2018) on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate
Action, Directive (EU) of the European Parliament and of the Council 2019/883/EU
(2019) on port reception facilities for the delivery of waste from ships, Directive
(EU) of the European Parliament and of the Council 2014/94/EU (2014) on Alternative Fuels Infrastructure (the AFID), Council Directive 2003/96/EC (2003) on the
taxation of energy products and electricity, Regulation (EC) of the European Parliament and of the Council No 1013/2006 (2006) on shipments of waste, Directive of
the European Parliament and of the Council 2008/98/EC (2008) on Waste (Waste
Frameworh Directive), Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council
2008/50/EC (2008) on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe and Regulation
(EC) of the European Parliament and of the Council No 1221/2009 (2009) on the
voluntary participation by organisations in a community eco-management and audit
scheme (EMAS). The Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) policy is based
on Regulation (EU) of the European Parliament and of the Council No 1315/2013
(2013) aiming at sustainability through development of all transport modes in a
manner consistent with ensuring transport that is sustainable and economically
efficient in the long term; its contribution to the objectives of low greenhouse gas
emissions, low-carbon and clean transport, fuel security, reduction of external costs
and environmental protection and promotion of low-carbon transport with the aim of
achieving by 2050 a significant reduction in CO 2 emissions, in line with the relevant
Union CO 2 reduction targets.
Furthermore, new stricter environmental protection measures are on the way with
the introduction of the European Green Deal (European Commission 2019). On
11 December 2019, the European Green Deal was communicated by the EU
Commission, boosting a new strategy on implementing the United Nation’s 2030
Agenda and the sustainable development goals, thereby increasing the EU’s greenhouse gas emission reductions target for 2030 to at least 50% and towards 55%
compared with 1990 levels. Becoming the world’s first climate-neutral continent by
2050 is the most ambitious package of measures, accompanied with an initial
roadmap of key policies ranging from ambitiously cutting emissions to investing
in cutting-edge research and innovation, in green technologies and sustainable
solutions. The Green Deal seeks a 90% reduction in the transport emissions by
2050, while it boosts the supply of sustainable alternative transport fuels – biofuels
and hydrogen – which will be promoted in aviation, shipping and road transport. In
addition, the European Green Deal purports to extend emissions trading to the
maritime sector as well.
The overarching objective of the European Green Deal, aiming to reach net-zero
greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, signifies an update of the EU’s climate ambition
for 2030, with a 50–55% cut in greenhouse gas emissions to replace the current 40%
objective. To deliver these additional greenhouse gas emissions reductions, all
relevant climate-related policies will be reviewed and potentially revised. To address
these interlinked challenges, a zero-pollution action plan for air, water and soil will
also be adopted. The 55% figure will be subject to a cost-benefit analysis of every EU
law and regulation in order to align them with the new climate goals. Further
decarbonising the energy system is critical to reach climate objectives in 2030 and
182
V. Alexandropoulou et al.
Council No 2018/1999 (2018) on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate
Action, Directive (EU) of the European Parliament and of the Council 2019/883/EU
(2019) on port reception facilities for the delivery of waste from ships, Directive
(EU) of the European Parliament and of the Council 2014/94/EU (2014) on Alternative Fuels Infrastructure (the AFID), Council Directive 2003/96/EC (2003) on the
taxation of energy products and electricity, Regulation (EC) of the European Parliament and of the Council No 1013/2006 (2006) on shipments of waste, Directive of
the European Parliament and of the Council 2008/98/EC (2008) on Waste (Waste
Frameworh Directive), Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council
2008/50/EC (2008) on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe and Regulation
(EC) of the European Parliament and of the Council No 1221/2009 (2009) on the
voluntary participation by organisations in a community eco-management and audit
scheme (EMAS). The Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) policy is based
on Regulation (EU) of the European Parliament and of the Council No 1315/2013
(2013) aiming at sustainability through development of all transport modes in a
manner consistent with ensuring transport that is sustainable and economically
efficient in the long term; its contribution to the objectives of low greenhouse gas
emissions, low-carbon and clean transport, fuel security, reduction of external costs
and environmental protection and promotion of low-carbon transport with the aim of
achieving by 2050 a significant reduction in CO 2 emissions, in line with the relevant
Union CO 2 reduction targets.
Furthermore, new stricter environmental protection measures are on the way with
the introduction of the European Green Deal (European Commission 2019). On
11 December 2019, the European Green Deal was communicated by the EU
Commission, boosting a new strategy on implementing the United Nation’s 2030
Agenda and the sustainable development goals, thereby increasing the EU’s greenhouse gas emission reductions target for 2030 to at least 50% and towards 55%
compared with 1990 levels. Becoming the world’s first climate-neutral continent by
2050 is the most ambitious package of measures, accompanied with an initial
roadmap of key policies ranging from ambitiously cutting emissions to investing
in cutting-edge research and innovation, in green technologies and sustainable
solutions. The Green Deal seeks a 90% reduction in the transport emissions by
2050, while it boosts the supply of sustainable alternative transport fuels – biofuels
and hydrogen – which will be promoted in aviation, shipping and road transport. In
addition, the European Green Deal purports to extend emissions trading to the
maritime sector as well.
The overarching objective of the European Green Deal, aiming to reach net-zero
greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, signifies an update of the EU’s climate ambition
for 2030, with a 50–55% cut in greenhouse gas emissions to replace the current 40%
objective. To deliver these additional greenhouse gas emissions reductions, all
relevant climate-related policies will be reviewed and potentially revised. To address
these interlinked challenges, a zero-pollution action plan for air, water and soil will
also be adopted. The 55% figure will be subject to a cost-benefit analysis of every EU
law and regulation in order to align them with the new climate goals. Further
decarbonising the energy system is critical to reach climate objectives in 2030 and
182
V. Alexandropoulou et al.