If Done Right, EU Military Mobility Can Generate Clear Benefits for People and the Climate

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Priority must be placed on tackling bottlenecks in cross-border rail infrastructure and supporting domestic clean fuel production.

The European Commission today published an EU Military Mobility Package, a proposal to aid the rapid movement of troops and equipment in response to the current geopolitical context. Green transport group T&E said that, if done right, the proposal could generate clear benefits for people and the climate.

T&E said the package’s focus on infrastructure upgrades and resilience on priority corridors is a unique opportunity to push for rail modernisation and take a big step towards a truly European railway market. Fragmentation and different national rules have so far slowed cross-border connections and the deployment of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS), for example.

T&E welcomes the proposal to promote increased production of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) and Sustainable Maritime Fuels (SMF) to improve resilience and energy security. Lawmakers should focus on e-SAF and e-SMF which can be scaled in Europe without feedstock limitations. T&E also called for a focus on shipbuilding in Europe, particularly battery-powered ships.

William Todts, executive director at T&E, said: “If done right, the Military Mobility Package will also benefit citizens and businesses who rely on the same infrastructure. Priority must be placed on tackling cross-border infrastructure bottlenecks, the faster roll-out of Europe’s rail signalling system and supporting domestic clean fuel production for planes and ships. What we don’t need is a big road building programme.”

News release from T&E.