BRUSSELS OUTLOOK
Europe faces a period of huge uncertainty. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has driven up the price of energy and other goods, increased fears about gas supplies, and cast a cloud over the economic outlook and recovery from the Covid-19 crisis.
At these challenging times, the European Union’s institutions have set themselves a busy schedule for the coming months to advance policy across a wide range of areas. For transport, the Fit for 55 package is entering the decisive stage of EU lawmaking. Finding compromise between Parliament and EU governments in the Council won’t be easy. CLECAT will continue to keep a close watch on the proposals as the package – depending on the results – will shake up the transport sector for the years to come.
The Czech presidency has committed to making progress in coming months on various transport related files in the Fit for 55 green transition strategy, including the FuelEU Maritime — which aims to increase the use of renewable and low carbon fuels in shipping — and the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR). European co-legislators are also due to begin trilogue discussions on ReFuelEU Aviation — which aims to increase use of sustainable fuels in aircraft and EU Emissions Trading System for aviation. MEPs are also under pressure to set a position on new EU requirements to build charging and refueling infrastructure and on an instrument to boost green shipping fuels.
Triologues on CBAM have started in June and here, the European Parliament has a more ambitious timeline than the Council. Another tricky dossier to follow closely is the ETS for transport and buildings, which will make fossil fuels in road transport more expensive. Parliament, unlike Council, wants to exempt passenger cars from ETS at a first stage.