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Group 1: Environmental consequences of transport
TERM indicators |
Objectives |
DPSIR |
Assessment |
---|---|---|---|
·reduce the consumption of fossil energy by transport |
D |
|
|
-CO2 -NMVOCs -NOx |
·meet international emission- reduction targets |
P |
|
·meet EU air-quality standards |
S |
|
|
·reduce exposure to high noise levels |
S |
? |
|
5. Proximity
of transport |
·preserve biodiversity and protect designated areas |
P |
|
·minimise land take by transport infrastructure |
P |
|
|
·reduce the number of injured and fatalities |
I |
|
Indicators and assessment
positive trend (moving towards target)
some positive development (but insufficient to meet
target)
unfavourable trend (large distance from
target)
? quantitative data not available or insufficient
The fifth environmental action programme (5EAP) constituted the first comprehensive set of EU environmental objectives and targets.
Emissions of air pollutants and their impact on climate change and air quality are dealt with by various international Conventions and EU Directives and policies:
These instruments set national emission-reduction targets, but they are not broken down by sector.
In addition, the following policies and environmental instruments specifically deal with emissions from the road transport sector:
Most Community legislation dealing with gaseous and noise emission standards for aircraft are based on the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). Under the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), a new protocol to reduce pollution emissions (NOx, SO2) from ships was proposed in 1997, but this has not yet been adopted.
Community Directives set maximum sound emission levels for vehicles, aircraft and machines. The Commission. s Green Paper on a future Common Noise Policy (CEC, 1996b) underlines the need for a more comprehensive EU strategy for noise.
The UN Convention on Biological Diversity and the Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy set up a general framework for the conservation of habitats and species. Integration of biodiversity concerns into other policy areas is a key element of the Community Biodiversity Strategy (1998). Various international and national instruments for the designation of areas for nature protection are in place (e.g. the Birds Directive (CEC, 1979) and the Flora, Fauna and Habitats Directive(CEC, 1992)).
Community spatial planning policies (notably, the European Spatial Development Perspective) aim at integrating environmental considerations into land-use planning. Some Member States have developed land-use policies and plans (restricting additional developments in certain areas).
The Community Action Programme on Road Safety (CEC, 1997b) aims to reduce the annual number of fatalities from road accidents by at least 18 000 from current levels.
The recent Commission Communication on air transport and the environment outlines a strategy to improve technical standards and related rules (for noise and gaseous emissions), and proposes the introduction of economic incentives (aviation charges, emission trading) and other market incentives (the Community. s Eco-Management and Auditing Scheme (EMAS), voluntary agreements with the industry). The aim is to achieve an improvement in the environmental performance of air transport operations that outweighs the impact of the growth in aviation (CEC, 1999d).
Figure 1.1: Transport emission trends
in the EU
Source: EEA-ETC/AE (NMVOCs and NOx), and Eurostat
(CO2, passenger-km, tonne-km)
For references, please go to https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/ENVISSUENo12/page005.html or scan the QR code.
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