Diplomats limber up for ‘Fit for 55’ transport laws negotiations

With positions on the EU’s ‘Fit for 55’ climate laws mostly defined, the coming months will see the European Parliament and Council enter negotiations. The outcomes of this inter-institutional wrangling will shape transport policy across the EU for decades to come. 

In aviation, while clean aircraft powered by electricity and hydrogen remain on the distant horizon, the short-term play to slash aircraft emissions is the roll-out of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). 

Under the “ReFuelEU Aviation” proposal, all aircraft refuelling at EU airports will be required to uplift a set percentage of SAF blended with kerosene. 

In the Maritime sector, EU efforts to decarbonise the bloc’s shipping sector are centred on “FuelEU Maritime”. FuelEU Maritime sets incrementally rising targets to reduce the greenhouse gas intensity of the fuel used on board ships. 

Lastly, the biggest Fit for 55 hurdle has been cleared in the road transport sector: The Parliament and Council have agreed to end the sale of petrol and diesel cars by 2035.

Read more here.

Political Festival of Europe

Held from 25 to 28 August 2022 in Mariager, Denmark, the Political Festival of Europe is an annual festival for democratic dialogue between European nations, organisations and citizens.

Attendees of the Political Festival of Europe, can visit the European Commission stand and learn more about the European Citizens’ Initiative and how to actively get involved in participatory democracy in the EU.

It is a great opportunity to come meet an ECI Ambassador and follow a debate on 26/8 about ‘how to ensure more democratic participation from European citizens in politics’. ECI representatives will share their experience and answer your questions; you can also challenge your friends to the ECI quiz, and learn how the ECI can help you have a say on issues that matter for Europe and the world.