Welcome to the July edition of the GBTA Europe Advocacy Newsletter designed to keep you up to date with what’s happening in relation to business travel in Brussels, and how GBTA is advocating on your behalf.

Click here for the EU jargon buster.

Summary
GBTA Action in the EU

CountEmissionsEU: A pathway to the harmonisation of transport emission calculations

On July 11, 2023, the European Commission unveiled its eagerly anticipated CountEmissionsEU proposal, a significant plan to standardise the methodology for calculating greenhouse gas emissions across all modes of transport.

Throughout the drafting process, GBTA were deeply engaged with the Commission, ensuring the priorities of the business travel sector were integrated into the proposal. GBTA strongly backs the proposal and issued a press release expressing our endorsement and support for the proposal, and a transparent, trustworthy measurement framework to promote more sustainable choices and ultimately, low-carbon business travel.

GBTA also commends the support of ISO 14083:2023, a truly international standard, something that paves the way for a truly global approach.

Digitilisation of travel documents

Working with the GBTA European Advisory Board and committees GBTA contributed to the Commission's recent consultation process for the digitalisation of travel documents, GBTA outlined the following main points:

1. International Approach: GBTA urged alignment with the International Civil Aviation Organisation's (ICAO's) standards, promoting a global, interoperable digital system.
2. Voluntary Adoption: GBTA supported the voluntary adoption of the ICAO's Digital Travel Credentials (DTC) standards within the EU, allowing citizens to adopt digital passports and identity cards at their convenience.
3. Privacy Safeguards: GBTA emphasised the need for stringent privacy measures, balancing an easy-to-navigate interface with robust security to promote acceptance of digital travel documents.
4. Non-Discriminatory Approach: GBTA advocated for a non-discriminatory approach with broad access to digital systems at no additional cost and trained personnel to handle complex situations.

Read the full Position Paper submitted to the European Commission here.

Other Key Points

1. Transport & sustainability - Developments on the legislations relevant to achieving the EU's climate targets

Renewable Energy Directive
A groundbreaking agreement on the Renewable Energy Directive (known as REDIII) now allows for nuclear power to be used to meet the European Union's goals for combating climate change. This change was made possible after France’s strong push for nuclear energy to be included, despite resistance from countries such as Luxembourg, Austria, and Germany. Find out more here.

RefuelEU Aviation
Concurrently, the RefuelEU Aviation initiative received the final green light, which was pending the agreement on RED. Starting in 2025, all European airports will be required to supply fuel containing at least 2% sustainable alternatives, marking a major victory for the environmentally progressive European industry. View more about the agreed deal here.

Multimodal Digital Mobility Strategy (MDMS)
The European Commission's possible designs of the not-yet published, upcoming proposal for the Multimodal Digital Mobility Services (MDMS) - intended to streamline cross-border travel and multimodal ticketing - has ignited a range of reactions. Possible policy avenues include a user-friendly ticket comparison model, preferential rules for dominant transport operators, and an industry-led approach.

GBTA and a range of stakeholders representing Europe’s mobility ecosystem, are advocating in Europe for a more ambitious Multimodal Digital Mobility Services (MDMS) regulation that meets the original goals of the initiative, to promote sustainable travel and meet EU climate goals.     

MDMS could transform the way we travel, enabling business travellers to compare and combine multiple modes of transport based on informed choices across emissions, cost, and time. Read the latest GBTA blog here.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) eyes a competitive boost, while the Community of European Railway (CER) lauds the balance between operator and passenger needs.

The EU Parliament and Commission need to find a path that fulfills the original stated goal to reduce fragmentation of digital mobility services in the EU, improve data sharing and facilitate the transition to more sustainable transport options across a combination of various transport modes.

2. Other updates

New Payment rules proposed by the Commission
On a slightly different note, than our usual transport updates, on June 28, 2023, the Commission released the Third Payment Services Directive (PSD3) and the Payment Services Regulation (PSR). These proposals are intended to enhance consumer protections and transparency, while improving security in digital transactions.

PSD3 provides clear definitions for payment instruments and services, institutes stronger measures against fraud, and improves rights for fraud victims. It also seeks to increase transparency, and balance competition between banks and non-bank service providers.

PSR focuses on strengthening security for Merchant Initiated Transactions (MITs) and Mail Order or Telephone Orders (MOTOs). It requires Strong Customer Authentication at the initial setup of MITs and specific security checks for MOTOs.

These proposals will now undergo legislative scrutiny by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union.

GBTA in collaboration with the GBTA Europe Payment Solutions Committee are examining these files to assess their impact on the business travel sector.