Effective and climate friendly mobility

Today, few of us can imagine life without transport. It plays a vital role in society and the economy. At the same time, transport is a one of the key sources of environmental pollution. It counts for one third of the total national GHG emissions in Lithuania. Furthermore, while most other economic sectors, such as industry, have reduced their emissions since 1990, those from transport have risen. Comparing to 2005, only transport sector increased GHG emissions by a fifth (about 22%) becoming a major contributor to climate change, air pollution and noise that has a particularly negative effect on our nature and human health.

The increase in GHG emissions from transport is mainly caused by constantly growing Lithuanian vehicle fleet. Passengers are not yet inclined to change their travel habits and prefer to use their personal cars for day-to-day travels. The average age of the vehicle is about 15 years and 69% of passenger cars are powered by diesel (that also dominates in public transport fleets and freight transport) with an average CO2 emissions of 160-170 g/km.

Insufficiently attractive public transport (old, very polluted, high prices, etc.), lack of restrictions on the use of polluted vehicles (annual fees, entry restrictions) and promotion of zero-emission vehicles (financial and other incentives for the purchase of electric vehicles, infrastructure creation and development) hinder the sector's green transformation.

That makes transport a major obstacle to realising the EU’s climate goals as reducing GHG emissions in the transport sector by 9% compared to 2005 until 2030 may be too challenging for the country in a such dismal current perspective. So, there is an urgent need for cross-sectorial approach and interinstitutional collaboration in a strategic manner to reorient public transport fleets and encourage public entities to choose cleaner vehicles. Therefore, LIFE IP EnerLIT mobilises huge institutional and financial forces and is designing various innovative approaches and methods aiming to:

1. Create an effective management system for the mobilization and administration of additional funds in the transport area.
2. Improve legal regulation by ensuring intersectoral harmonization of the legal base.
3. Renew the vehicle fleet, by moving to modern and efficient public transport, optimising transport and alternative fuel infrastructure, electrifying it or using alternative fuels.
4. Change consumer behaviour, reducing climate impact.

Project activities in this area include measures following:

• Mobilising administrative and financial resources for the implementation, coordination, and progress monitoring of the energy efficiency related measures in Lithuanian transport sector, including the establishment of Sustainable Mobility Fund.
• Harmonization of cross-sectoral and sectoral legal frameworks shaping the state policy in the area of the transport system and infrastructure in all modes of transport (rail, road, sea, inland waterways, air) for an effective and climate-friendly mobility with a focus on reducing the consumption of fossil fuels.
• Renewal of urban and suburban public transport fleets by promoting vehicles running on alternative fuels and electricity as well as developing the recharging infrastructure (purchase of 200 city and suburban buses running on alternative fuels and electricity).
• Facilitating the implementation of transport management policy in municipalities by developing and putting into practice sustainable urban mobility plans (SUMPs): guidelines for development of urban low emission zones and realisation of pilot project on restriction of access to designated urban areas for vehicles with ICE system.
• Promoting the use of electric vehicles and developing the recharging infrastructure through financial incentives for purchase of electric vehicles, increasing recharging infrastructure availability, and raising public awareness.
• Consumer behaviour changing for climate-friendly activities through education and opinion formation (advanced behaviour changing solutions, promotion of economic and ecological driving skills, broad social dissemination, public information, habit building activities and pilot projects to reduce fossil fuel consumption, etc.).
• The development of advanced and flexible on-demand based sustainable rural mobility system based on the implementation of pilot initiative in Lazdijai District and Punsk Municipality.
• Increasing climate change mitigation potential at farm level by supporting the development of no-till technologies, while at the same time refuse environmentally harmful tax concessions for transport used in agricultural activities eventually.

PARTNERS INVOLVED

	Ministry of Transport and Communications is responsible for the activities falling under its policy area, also coordinates the development of an effective management system for mobilisation and administration of additional funds in transport sector, leads the process of harmonization of cross-sectoral and sectoral legal frameworks for effective and climate friendly mobility.
	Ministry of Environment manages activities that is policy related to environmental pollution taxes, air quality in urban areas, financing of structural measures from the Climate Change Programme. The partner is also responsible for environmental impact assessment and the promotion of climate-friendly and clean mobility.
	Ministry of Energy is responsible for the activities falling under its policy area: electricity supply and grid, renewable energy.
	Ministry of Agriculture is responsible for policy influencing agricultural transport, enhances the development of no-till technologies in Lithuania.
	Association of Local Authorities in Lithuania represents interests of municipalities in the development of financial incentives for renewal of urban and suburban public transport fleets by promoting vehicles running on alternative fuels and electricity, as well as in implementation of SUMPs. The partner also coordinates the preparation of pilot plan on restriction of access to designated urban areas for vehicles with ICE system.
	Environmental Projects Management Agency implements awareness raising campaigns and provides support for third parties implementing innovative solutions aimed at consumer behaviour changing for climate-friendly activities.
	NGO Vilnius Technology and Art Centre hosts public events (hackathons) to generate innovative solutions in the fields such as sustainable mobility and energy efficiency.
	Lazdijai District Municipality Administration implements the pilot initiative for sustainable rural mobility in Lazdijai District and promotes its wider uptake.
	Punsk Municipality (Poland) is responsible for replication of technical solutions of pilot initiative for sustainable rural mobility in Poland and promotes its wider uptake.

Projektas „Energijos efektyvumo didinimas Lietuvoje“ (Nr. LIFE20 IPC/LT/000002) yra finansuojamas Europos Sąjungos LIFE programos ir Lietuvos Respublikos lėšomis. Šioje svetainėje pateikiamas projekto partnerių požiūris, ir Europos Komisija nėra atsakinga už bet kokį šios informacijos panaudojimą.