The European Environment Agency (EEA) has released a report highlighting the ongoing issue of high emissions in the European transport sector. Despite rail transport being a low-emission alternative for both people and goods, the continent's persistent dependence on road transportation keeps pollution levels, particularly greenhouse gas emissions, elevated. The findings indicate that transport is crucial for the functioning of European society and the economy, providing jobs for over 10 million people and contributing about 5% of the EU's GDP. However, it is also the only major sector where greenhouse gas emissions have increased since 1990, accounting for nearly one-third of the EU's emissions in 2023.

To achieve its goals, including climate neutrality by 2050 and zero pollution targets by 2030, the EU must make consistent efforts to ameliorate these environmental impacts. The report suggests that despite these ambitious objectives, the transport sector continues to significantly affect the environment and public health, indicating a need for immediate action and policy changes. The 2025 European Mobility System Sustainability Report specifically attributes a large portion of emissions to road transport, pressing the EU to reconsider its current transportation policies and embrace more sustainable practices that can reduce the reliance on polluting road transport.