On Thursday 3 December, Luxembourg Minister of Sustainable Development and Infrastructure, François Bausch, participated in several events related to the decarbonisation of transport in the contest of the COP21 Climate conference taking place in Paris.

The Minister first of all spoke at the conference on Urban Mobility, Low-Carbon and Clean Vehicles, Walking and Cycling, organised by the Lima-Paris Action Agenda (LPAA), where he referred to the adoption on 7 October 2015 of the 'Luxembourg Declaration on the bike as a climate-friendly mode of transport' under the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Through this Declaration, Member States called on the European Commission to include cycling in mutimodal mobility, develop a 'cycling strategy' and establish a single point responsible for facilitating the exchange of best biking practices.

Minister Bausch then joined Ministers from a range of countries including Sweden, France, India, Tunisia, Morocco, Brazil and Chile at a working lunch organised by the International Transport Forum (ITF). Here, considerations related to the reduction of emissions in transport, such as best practices, new technologies and interactions between the public and private sector were discussed.

In his speech, the Minister highlighted the promotion of sustainable mobility through the creation of adequate infrastructure involving, over time, the development of a 'cycling culture', as a key facet in the decarbonisation of transport. He also voiced his opinion that each measure in the decarbonisation of transport be positively argued.

"I am not only citing the enormous investments of Luxembourg in a multimodal platform between road and rail which will result in economic diversification coupled with job creation," Minister Bausch commented. "Or the budget we will invest in 2016 in rail and tram, exceeding for the first time that of roads. It will contributed to a substantial reducation in congestion during peak hours. Another key factor is the creation of a consistent bicycle network, the result of which will be a marked improvement in mobilty, especially in the urban context."

The Luxembourg Minister also spoke at the flagship event 'Transport Decarbonisation as an Engine for Growth', held in the afternoon by the European Commission in the presence of policy makers and other stakeholders.

François Bausch remarked that decarbonised transport holds a huge growth potential capable of transforming society and the industrial landscape. According to the Minister, it was important to recognise this potential and develop it, not just looking to decarbonise transport but also to consider the intelligent use of multimodal chains, involving public transport, carpooling and cycling for short distances. "I am sure that decarbonising transport will become a key driver of economic growth," the Minister concluded, calling for the prompt implementation of innovative technologies in the automotive industry for building zero emission cars such as fuel cells.

 

Photo by EESC