2021 Designated as the Year of European Rail
The European Union (EU) has launched the European Year of Rail 2021, an initiative aimed at promoting rail transport as a sustainable, smart, and safe mode of travel across Europe. This year-long campaign highlights the crucial role of railways in achieving Europe's climate goals, supporting economic recovery, and enhancing connectivity across the continent.
The objectives of the European Year of Rail are fourfold: to increase the share of rail transport in both passenger and freight mobility, to promote cross-border rail services, to drive the modernization and digitalization of rail networks, and to support the development of high-speed rail networks.
Rail is recognized as the greenest and most energy-efficient mass transport mode, essential for Europe's green transition. The EU has invested heavily to upgrade rail infrastructure, improve connectivity, reduce emissions, and integrate rail with other modes of transport. The initiative also focuses on digital solutions to simplify operations, harmonize standards, and ensure secure, affordable rail services.
Projects supported under this framework include the construction of Rail Baltica and improvements in countries such as Greece, Slovakia, Czechia, and Poland. The use of digital traffic management and interoperable safety systems improves rail competitiveness and resilience while supporting the Single European Rail Area (SERA).
As part of the European Green Deal, a substantial part of the 75% of inland freight currently carried by road should shift onto rail and inland waterways. Rail emits far less CO2 than equivalent travel by road or air, and it is the only mode of transport that has consistently reduced its greenhouse gas emissions since 1990.
Next year is designated as the European Year of Rail, marking several significant anniversaries for rail, including the 20th anniversary of the first Railway Package, the 175th anniversary of the first rail link between EU capitals (Paris-Brussels), as well as 40 years of TGV and 30 years of ICE.
The Commission is considering launching a feasibility study on the creation of a "European label" to promote goods transported by rail. The EU will introduce a set of key performance indicators to evaluate the European Year of Rail. The international arts festival EUROPALIA has chosen railways as their 2021 theme.
The rules agreed under the Fourth Railway Package will be fully implemented throughout the EU in 2021, opening up the domestic passenger services market and reducing costs and the administrative burden for railway undertakings operating across the EU. To achieve the goal of climate neutrality by 2050, the EU says that transport emissions must go down by 90%.
The EU Commissioner for Transport, Adina Valean, stated that railways offer huge benefits in areas like sustainability, safety, and speed, and they also symbolize political cohesion within the EU. The European Year of Rail 2021 serves to raise awareness, mobilize investments, and foster innovation in rail transport, underpinning the EU's ambitions to double high-speed rail by 2030 and triple it by 2050, making rail a central pillar of sustainable and smart mobility in Europe.
- The European Year of Rail 2021 campaign emphasizes the critical role of sustainable and smart rail travel in promoting cultural exchanges and environmental science across Europe.
- Achieving economic recovery and sustainability in the industry is possible with the adoption of eco-friendly transportation methods, such as rail, which are central to the lifestyle of those advocating for climate-change mitigation.
- Home-and-garden designs can be inspired by the integration of green practices seen in the development of modern and digitalized sustainable rail networks, contributing to the overall goal of sustainable living.
- The finance sector is backing the European Year of Rail, recognizing its potential for stimulating smart investment in the scientific development of rail technology and ensuring the safety of high-speed rail networks.
- The environmental-science community supports the European Year of Rail, as rail transport is the greenest and most energy-efficient mode of mass transport, essential for Europe's transition to a sustainable future.
- As part of the vision for a climate-neutral Europe by 2050, the transportation sector, particularly the railway industry, must reduce emissions by 90%, ensuring a safe and connected European continent and a livable environment for future generations.
