EU-ETS revision a call to recognise rail’s contribution to decarbonisation

In the context of the planned publication on 17 July 2026 of a European Commission proposal to revise the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), the joint statement urges earmarking ETS revenues to rail—Europe’s lowest-emission mass transport system—for its proven decarbonisation efforts, to ensure competitive fairness and accelerate modal shift to rail for immediate emissions cuts.

It calls for prioritising rail projects in ETS funds to support infrastructure, innovation, modernisation of rolling stock and interoperability, reinforcing rail’s role in meeting EU climate goals, and upholding the polluter pays principle. The statement is supported by a broad range of European rail associations: AERRL, ALLRAIL, CER, EIM, ERFA, UIP, UIRR, and UNIFE.