In 2024, rail freight in Europe underwent significant climate challenges. However, by the end of the century, heatwaves are expected to increase by a factor of 30, while floods, droughts, and wildfires will become much more common. Against that background, a European Commission (EC) study is now saying that climate adaptation needs to be part of TEN-T policies.
“On several occasions in 2024, extreme weather events rendered transportation systems unusable, destroying infrastructure and disrupting supply chains for long periods”, the European Commission says. September’s large-scale floods in Central and Eastern Europe come to mind, as well as the floods in Spain of October, as they had a significant impact on rail freight operations. For instance, the damaged Neue Weststrecke rail line in Austria reopened only last week.
The EC is now saying that public investment is needed to strengthen the resilience of transport infrastructure. It recommends establishing a tracking system to monitor the progress of TEN-T cross-border projects, including their milestones, costs, and completion status. In that way, climate-related challenges could be detected early, and proactive solutions could be found on time.
Infrastructure at risk
According to the study, completing the network will strengthen Europe’s climate resilience, as transport is supposed to become more flexible with adaptable traffic routes.
“A complete and climate-resilient TEN-T is vital for fostering growth and cohesion across the EU”, transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas commented. “As climate extremes intensify, adapting our infrastructure is urgent. If we don’t act now, we put at risk our infrastructure, harming our citizens, companies and the economy.”