On December 9, 2020, the European Concrete Paving Association (EUPAVE) and Petar Vitanov, Member of the European Parliament (MEP), held an online European Union (EU) Debate on âGreen Deal: the right choices for a climate resilient and sustainable Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T)â. The WEBINAR event was attended by nearly 35 participantsâgathered representatives of the public and private sector, and European Commission.
WELCOME from HOST:
Petar Vitanov, MEP presented the right choices for a climate-resilient and sustainable TEN-T. To him, developing the TEN-T core network by 2030 will remain a task of high importance, âRoad networks’ development must also consider the primary priorities related to transport decarbonization, digitalization, and safetyâ. Indeed, road transport represents a key pillar of the new growth strategy. It aims at transforming the EU into a fair and prosperous society with competitive economy seeking no emissions of greenhouse gases in 2050.
The industry has an important role in tackling climate and environmental-related challenges. Mr. Vitanov stated, âThanks to their characteristics, I am sure that concrete pavements can accelerate the shift to sustainable and smart mobility, considered an essential element of the European Green Dealâ.
In his view, to ensure progress towards the achievement of climate neutrality, any transport infrastructure projects financed by the EU must, upon independent assessment, be consistent with:
âą The 2030 & 2050 climate objectives
âą The EU objectives of high resource- & energy-efficient, climate-neutral, & circular economy
The assessment of the effects of projects must consider greenhouse gas emissions during their whole life cycle. He noted the importance to change mentalities for a more sustainable tendering: âWhile most of the public contracts in the EU are currently awarded based on the lowest price criteria, Europe needs a more sustainable approach and criteria taking into account initial investment and all the costs during the life cycle leading to the most economically efficient decisionâ.
WELCOME:
Mr. Nicoud, President-EUPAVE, thanked MEP Petar Vitanov for hosting the debate for EUPAVE and speakers. He reflected on EUPAVEâs annual debates in the European Parliament which have had the main goal of putting mobility infrastructures at the heart of the debate about the post-carbon era. Mr. Nicoud also expressed that the upcoming revision of TEN-T should also be adapted to the decarbonation objectives set by the European Green Deal.
Regarding TEN-T, the Commission is now collecting feedback from stakeholders to have a new proposal in 2021. EUPAVE will participate and defend that the infrastructures of the future must be more resilient, more sustainable, and must have less impact in its environment and to people. âAll of these aspects have to be considered when designing the public procurement which will materialize this new phase of European infrastructure. We undoubtedly defend that concrete pavement is the solution.â
SPEAKER INTERVENTIONS:
Mr. Luc Rens, Managing Director-EUPAVE, talked about âInnovative and sustainable tendering for European motorwaysâ. He came reflected upon the Public Procurement Directives and on the EU Green Public Procurement criteria for roads. He insisted on the need of a fair and open competition in pavement market. He also presented EUPAVEâs fact sheets on âhigh albedoâ and âless fuel consumptionâ (+ links to website). EUPAVE EU Event PRESENTATION of Luc Rens: www.eupave.eu/wp-content/uploads/EUPAVE-EU-Event-9-December-2020-Luc-Rens.pdf
Mr. Mario Krmek, Asset Manager-ASFINAG Baumanagement GmbH, introduced a circular and long-term approach for Austrian motorways. He started with presenting the Austria motorway network and continued with the history and requirements of concrete pavement recycling. Mr. Krmek came back on ASFINAGâs strategy towards the European Green Deal and their next steps for a reduction of CO2 emissions. EUPAVE EU Event PRESENTATION of Mario Krmek: www.eupave.eu/wp-content/uploads/EUPAVE-EU-Event-9-December-2020-Mario-Krmek.pdf
Afterwards, Mr. Philippe Chantraine, Deputy Head-Unit B.1 Transport Networks of DG MOVE-European Commission, introduced the 4 specific objectives of the TEN-T Regulation. He then presented the background of the TEN-T Regulationâwhat has worked well, and what has not worked well. He concluded with the lessons learnt and the next steps, such as the impact assessment. EUPAVE EU Event PRESENTATION of Philippe Chantraine: www.eupave.eu/wp-content/uploads/EUPAVE-EU-Event-9-December-2020-Philippe-Chantraine.pdf
Ms. Katharina Knapton-Vierlich, Head-Unit G.1 Public Procurement Strategy of DG GROW-European Commission, closed the round of presentations by a keynote on the priorities of the Commission in Public Procurement Policy.
Following a debate, MEP Petar Vitanov and Mr. Stéphane Nicoud concluded the event. EUPAVE also thanked Mr. Emiliano Alonso for moderating the event.
LINKS:
EUPAVE Life Cycle Approach in Upcoming TEN-T Proposal: https://www.eupave.eu/eupave-advocates-for-life-cycle-approach-in-upcoming-ten-t-proposal/
Ten-T: https://ec.europa.eu/transport/themes/infrastructure/ten-t_en