Climate measures in Fit for 55 Package on Transport Council agenda

The EU Transport Council will convene in Brussels on 9 December 2021. Finland will be represented by Tuuli-Maaria Aalto, Deputy Permanent Representative.

The Council will discuss the Fit for 55 Package on climate measures and the related legislative proposals.

The Presidency will present a report on progress made on the Fit for 55 package. Finland supports systematic measures for reducing emissions by at least 55 per cent by 2030 and achieving climate neutrality by 2050. Transport will play an important role in achieving this goal.

Finland has considered it important that the EU achieve carbon neutrality in a socially, economically and ecologically sustainable manner before 2050. The proposals included in the EU Fit for 55 Package have combination and cross-effects that must be taken into account as a whole.

The Council will hold a policy debate and hear an update on three proposals for European Commission regulations.

The council will discuss the proposal for a regulation on promoting the use of renewable fuels in aviation within the EU (ReFuelEU Aviation). The proposal includes a renewable fuels blending mandate, which is targeted at aviation fuel suppliers, and an obligation on airlines to use renewable aviation fuels. The aim of the proposal is to stop the growth of emissions from aviation and to promote level competition in air transport market.

Finland considers it important that emission reduction measures in air transport are ambitious while at the same time ensuring the competitiveness of European air transport in the global market.

The Council will discuss the proposal for a regulation on the use of renewable and low-carbon fuels in maritime transport (FuelEU Maritime). The proposal requires that the percentage of renewable and low-carbon fuels be gradually increased in maritime transport in 2025-2050. Initially, this should mainly mean blending biofuels with fossil fuels and, in the longer term, transitioning to emission-free fuels or power sources.

In maritime transport, too, Finland wishes to highlight the overall impacts of the Fit for 55 package. The competitiveness of shipping and the special circumstances of winter navigation should be taken into account in the preparation.

The agenda includes a policy debate about the proposed regulation on the introduction of alternative fuels infrastructure (AFIR). The aim of the proposal is to accelerate the transition to alternative fuels in all modes of transport.

Finland is in favour of setting joint ambitious targets for alternative fuel infrastructure across different modes of transport. However, flexibility is needed especially in the requirements concerning the distribution infrastructure for heavy goods transport on road and for hydrogen. The infrastructure should be built where there is demand for it.

Inquiries:

Päivi Antikainen, Director of Climate and Environment Unit, tel. +358 50 382 7101