Addressing transport poverty: the key to a socially balanced green transformation

In the wake of the Fit for 55 packages, it is not just ‘energy poverty’ but also ‘transport poverty’ that has been gaining increasing attention. Higher fuel prices have hit low-income people hard, especially as they are often locked into fossil fuel-based mobility patterns. More than a hundred million conventional cars will need to be exchanged for low- or zero-emissions ones this decade. However, no clear concept or policy has been outlined about how normal- or lower-income people will be able to afford this.

Large and expensive electric vehicles (EVs) are being subsidised, but where is the support for making smaller and more affordable EVs available? Public transport cannot be the only alternative, firstly because it is not always accessible and secondly because we cannot allow individual transport to become the privilege of the rich.

This conference will discuss how we can make sure that social justice issues are better reflected in the transition to zero-carbon mobility. What needs to be changed at EU level? And which alternative options to public transport need to be promoted, in particular in rural areas?

Moderator: Philippe Pochet, ETUI General Director

Speakers:
Bela Galgoczi, ETUI senior researcher
Milena Buchs, Associate Professor in Sustainability, Economics and Low Carbon Transitions, University of Leeds
Sabrina Iannazzone, Policy Officer, The European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN)

Comments:
Manuela Kropp, Project Manager, Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung, Brussels Office
Jytte Guteland, MEP Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament
Sabine Trier, Deputy General Secretary, European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF)

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