The European Commission has adopted a comprehensive strategy (Transport 2050) for a competitive transport system that will increase mobility; remove major barriers in key areas and fuel growth and employment. At the same time, the proposals will dramatically reduce Europe's dependence on imported oil and cut carbon emissions in transport by 60% by 2050.

To achieve this will require a transformation in Europe's current transport system. By 2050, key goals will include:

• No more conventionally-fuelled cars in cities.
• 40% use of sustainable low carbon fuels in aviation; at least 40% cut in shipping emissions.
• A 50% shift of medium distance intercity passenger and freight journeys from road to rail and waterborne transport.
• All of which will contribute to a 60% cut in transport emissions by the middle of the century.

Vice-President Siim Kallas, responsible for transport said, "Transport 2050 is a roadmap for a competitive transport sector that increases mobility and cuts emissions. We can and we must do both. The widely held belief that you need to cut mobility to fight climate change is simply not true. Competitive transport systems are vital for Europe's ability to compete in the world, for economic growth, job creation and for peoples' everyday quality of life. Curbing mobility is not an option; neither is business as usual. We can break the transport system's dependence on oil without sacrificing its efficiency and compromising mobility. It can be win–win."

Matthias Ruete, European Commission Director General of DG Energy and Transport & Chairman of the SESAR Joint Undertaking, has given an in-depth interview to Views on the Transport 2050 White Paper. As well as discussing the impact of the White Paper on the EU’s public transport systems, the interview looks at the importance of the aviation sector. In particular, Mr Ruete highlighted the fact that flying is a key factor for citizens’ mobility, and underlined the EU’s commitment not to restrict the growth of airports and airlines. Watch the video.