T&E

NEW: Europe is set to save 20 million tonnes of CO2 this year thanks to the EV transition, but increased air travel is undermining this success. Transport is the only sector of Europe’s economy in which emissions are higher than they were in 1990. European transport is also still heavily reliant on fossil fuels from abroad: it imports 96% of its crude oil and 90% of its natural gas. But thanks to the uptake of electric vehicles, Europe’s transport sector has seen a 5% emissions decrease from 2019 levels. Emissions from road transport – which make up more than 70% of all transport emissions – are falling due to electrification and a higher share of clean electricity in the grid every year. While road transport emissions are falling, however, aviation is on the rise and shipping activity remains stubbornly high. Both these sectors remain heavily reliant on fossil fuels. The good news is that shipping and aviation are both now included in the EU’s carbon market, which could generate €30 billion a year by the end of the decade and finance the transition to green e-fuels. Today T&E publishes the 2025 State of European Transport. The report explores the progress made toward achieving the goals of the European Green Deal and what still needs to happen to achieve a cleaner transport system in Europe. Explore the State of European Transport - link in the comments.

Europe’s climate action and energy security are two sides of the same coin. While progress has been made to reduce emissions from road transport, growth in aviation traffic and car industry efforts to slow down electrification threaten to keep Europe reliant on oil imports. The EU must double down on its green policies now that they are starting to show results. Have you seen our 2025 State of European Transport? Check it out at the link in our comments.

The EU's critical minerals diplomacy has been underwhelming. If done well, 'CITPs' could change that... These Clean Trade and Investment Partnerships promise to “forge mutually beneficial deals” with countries rich in the resources needed for batteries and other clean tech. But before CITPs came along, the EU agreed on numerous partnerships and memorandums of understanding – with limited impact. So, how can the EU correctly use CITPs to bring its financial, technological and diplomatic leverage to bear? 🗺️ By being strategic in our choice of partners. Europe is not a behemoth of minerals investment, so it needs to finds its niche. The Philippines is one opportunity. The world's second largest nickel miner is set to ban raw exports to encourage more local value from processing. The EU could support the country’s value addition goals and share its own policy experience of putting in place better governance and minerals standards. 🤝 By better understanding our own strengths and how they fit partner countries’ needs. It is clear that one of the top things resource-rich countries want is finance to develop their resources. Europe has a lot of financial power, including large banks and export credit agencies. These should be brought to the table as part of any future CTIP. ♻️ And we should not forget about upholding high standards and environmental stewardship. With leverage over projects comes the power to control the conditions under which they are operating. But this cannot be a pure finger wagging exercise. We must provide financial and technology support to roll out better water and waste treatment facilities. This also means working with countries and smaller companies in Global South countries to explain, train and help implement some of the more complex requirements. Read more in Julia Poliscanova (she/her)'s blog - see link in the comments.

Europe remains heavily dependent on energy imports: 96% of our crude oil and 90% of our natural gas comes from abroad. In 2024 alone, Europe spent €250 billion on crude oil imports. While Europe remains reliant on imports for key materials in the production of batteries like lithium (100%), nickel (75%) and aluminum (58%), the big difference is that metals can be recycled. T&E’s latest analysis shows that in 2030, over its lifetime an EV will only consume 20 litres of materials for its battery versus over 12,400 litres of fuel for a combustion engine car. Learn more in our 2025 State of European Transport, available at the link in our comments.

Happening now! Watch the livestream 👇

⚡️𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 - 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲! T&E will bring together senior policymakers, industry leaders, and civil society to reflect on the early successes of the European Green Deal and discuss what is needed to maintain progress and decarbonise Europe’s transport sector while remaining competitive in a rapidly changing world. The event will feature speeches and an engaging panel discussion with key voices shaping European transport policy. Register at the link to join the event through Zoom, or RSVP below to catch the livestream on LinkedIn. 🔗https://lnkd.in/eYK_7f3f

 It’s 2025. Do companies still need to fly their employees everywhere? We’re gathering insights from professionals who travel for work! Take our 2-minute survey (link in comments) or share your thoughts below. Every year, #TravelSmart tracks how companies are cutting #BusinessTravel emissions. As we finalize this year’s ranking, we want to hear from you: ❗How important  is travel to your job? 📉Has your company taken steps to reduce flying? ✈️What’s the strongest case for flying less in your organization? Your input can help shape the future of sustainable business travel—join the conversation! #CorporateSustainability #RemoteWork #WorkTravel #FlyLess #BusinessTravel #Shift2rail #ClimateAction

❓ What’s your take on the EU’s #Automotive #Action #Plan? That’s the question I was asked by RTL and RTBF this week. My response: Despite a positive step on #fleet electrification (the good), the #weakening of the 2025 car CO₂ targets is a historic giveaway to carmakers (the bad), and hesitant #battery support (the missed opportunity) will leave Europe trailing further behind China. 🔴 The bad: CO₂ targets weakened—no strings attached The EU is delaying its 2025 car CO₂ target, giving manufacturers three years instead of one to comply. ➡️This means 1 million fewer EVs on European roads, delaying the arrival of affordable models and further expanding the competitive gap with Chinese EV makers. 🟢 The good: A law to green company fleets The EU will propose a law to electrify corporate fleets by the end of 2024. This is crucial since 60% of new car sales are to businesses, which could add 2 million more EVs by 2030. 🟠 The missed opportunity: Too little, too late on batteries The EU promises local content rules for EV batteries, but this comes years after China and the US made major industrial bets. While gigafactory projects in Europe are being canceled due to uncompetitive conditions, Europe needs stronger action rather than just playing catch-up ➕ Bonus: Small but important wins buried in the plan (not exhaustive) ✅ Charging: New EU funding for charging (AFIF) & & better price transparency in AFIR ✅ Grid: Action to reduce grid connection delays and give priority to charging ✅ EV flexibility: Possible V2G mandate for EVs, measures on network codes and charges ✅ Easy access to battery health info ✅ Support for social leasing, etc ✅ Eco-score: car label with info on carbon content of key materials. What do you think? What are your good-bad-ugly bits of the automotive plan?  T&E #EVs #automotive #emobility #electricCars #europe

€165 bn in European taxpayer money has been spent on bioenergy since 2015, despite research showing that bioenergy exacerbates the climate and biodiversity crisis, disrupts wood and food markets, and contributes to air pollution. Environmental groups are outside the EU Parliament to demand an end to public funding for harmful bioenergy. Oxfam, Fern NGO, WWF, Skydda Skogen - Protect the Forest Sweden

NEW: Today’s EU Automotive Plan must mark a line in the sand for concessions on car industry climate targets. The European Commission plan contains crucial measures to boost demand for European EVs including a law on greening corporate fleets. But the weakening of CO₂ targets and vague support for battery production will see Europe fall further behind China. Meanwhile, the vague announcement on European content requirements on battery cells and components lacks urgency or resolve. Read T&E’s full statement on the Automotive Plan - link in the comments.