It was a Commission proposal, which caused a stir - especially in Austria: in May 2017, the European Commission presented the amendment of the Road Infrastructure Charging Directive, which among other provided for a ban of time-dependent toll systems for passenger cars from 2027. This would mean nothing less than a ban of vignettes on Austria’s motorways.

On 24 October 2018, the European Parliament in Strasbourg voted on the Proposal for a Directive on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment. A large majority of MEPs voted in favour of the parliamentary report, which includes some later improvements. This could mean a significant improvement for environmental conditions throughout Europe.

In its proposal last year concerning the reduction targets of CO2 emissions for new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, the European Commission recommended a reduction of 30 % by 2030, which was criticised in many quarters as insufficient. The European Parliament voted on this issue on 3 October 2018 and agreed on a reduction of 40 % by 2030. In doing so, the European Parliament meets its environmental responsibility and decides to promote and support innovative and sustainable developments within the European Union.

On 10 September 2018, the European Parliament’s Committee on Environment, which is responsible for this Directive Proposal, decided in favour of ambitious targets covering higher CO2 emission limits than comprised in the proposal presented by the Commission. From the Chamber of Labour’s point of view, this is a positive development as the Commission’s proposal does not contain enough ambitious measures to reduce passenger car emissions. The opinion of the Committee on Transport and Tourism would have provided for even weaker targets than the Commission proposal.

BAK welcomes the further expansion of the trans-European transport networks (TEN-T) and the availability of European co-financing. However, it disapproves of the use of funds from the Connection Europe Facility (CEF) for military purposes. In order for Austria to be able to fully benefit from co-financing, it would have to deviate from its neutrality status.

On 10th September 2018, the European Parliament’s Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) voted on the proposal on a recast of the Drinking Water Directive. The Citizens’ Initiative “Right2Water”, which had been supported by the Chamber of Labour, demands the enshrinement of a human right to clean and affordable drinking water for all Europeans. However, this demand was not as distinctly implemented as it would be necessary from the AK’s point of view. That is why improvements are needed for the plenary vote scheduled for October.

On Monday, 10th September 2018, the European Parliament’s Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety will vote on the recast of the Drinking Water Directive. This revision has been triggered by the Citizen’s Initiative “Right2Water” - supported by the Chamber of Labour - , where in 2013 over 1.8 million EU citizens demanded for water to become a human right.

1.8 million Europeans signed the European Citizens‘ Initiative ‚right2Water‘ in 2013, requesting the European Commission to implement the human right to water and sanitation in EU legislation. It was the first ever successful Citizens‘ Initiative. The European Parliament was very supportive in its September 2015 position. Earlier this year the Commission presented the recast of the Drinking Water Directive. Apart from technical modifications, it foresees better access to water and proposes measures for vulnerable and marginalised groups. Does the recast fulfil the ‘right2water’ goals?

From the point of view of the Chamber of Labour, the Commission proposal on CO2 targets for car manufacturers does not contain enough ambitious measures to reduce passenger car emissions; nor does it include any binding quotas for electric cars. However, before the summer break, the European Parliament’s Committee on Transport issued its Opinion, in which it significantly watered down the Commission proposal. Now, the ball is in the corner of the Parliament’s Committee on Environment, which is in charge of this Commission proposal. Hence, improvements are necessary.

A need to act in order to effectively prevent social dumping does not only exist in road transport; there is also a lot to do in the aviation sector. Strikes took place on Friday 10th August 2018 in various locations of the low-cost airline Ryanair, because pilots and cabin crew wanted to draw attention to the poor working conditions and the lack of willingness to negotiate by the management.