Connecting Europe

Let’s do a quick experiment. Imagine you are told that in one month’s time you have to take a trip from Paris to Barcelona, a quick check on Google reveals the cheapest train option comes in at around 69 euros, while the cheapest flight – with a travel time nearly 5 hours quicker, if you don’t count waiting around in departures – is 50 euros. Which are you taking?  

Rethinking the ways we travel is not easy, but it is vitally necessary not only for the European Union to achieve its ambitious carbon neutrality goals but for us humans to ensure a livable world for future generations. In the EU, transport accounts for over a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions, much of it belching from private cars and planes.  

Across Europe, regions and communities are working to address these challenges with research and initiatives that range from daunting infrastructure overhauls to local bike schemes.  

This issue of REVOLVE opens with a special Guest Editorial from Joost Vantomme, CEO of ERTICO-ITS Europe, who tells us about how Europe’s regions are a perfect testing ground for citizen-centric mobility.  

Then, Hollie Fisher takes a look at transport innovation around Europe, from the impressive Rail Baltica project to AI-empowered bike lanes in Barcelona. Our first VIEWS gives us a glimpse into alternative transport modes around the continent, both old and new.  

From there, Asya Al Marhubi brings us up to cruising speed with the latest port innovations before Ana Maria Tovar gives us an insight into circular solutions in frigid northern Sweden.  

The effect of sunscreen pollution on the Mediterranean Sea might surprise you in Cush Rodríguez Moz and Rocío Periago’s deep dive on the issue before we head to Brazil for Ahmetcan Uzlasik’s look at a controversial COP.  

We reflect on the deadliest storm in Spain’s modern history in our second VIEWS by Paula Rivas almost a year after the devastating DANA.  

Then, Lauren Beauchamp gives us insights on the potential re-use of EV batteries before we hear about the role of women in India’s circular economy in an interview with Chase Advisor’s Suryaprabha Sadasivan. Daniela Deken reviews a sobering exhibition on factory farming in the latest Between the Lines.

Enjoy reading REVOLVE and send us your comments at:  

editors@revolve.media  

 

Jake Threadgould

Editor-in-Chief

 

Inside this issue

Editorial

Beyond Emissions – ITS Europe CEO Joost Vantomme explores how regions can drive citizen-centric mobility through smarter, more inclusive transport systems. 

Features

Bridging Europe’s Mobility Gaps – Regional transport initiatives take root 

Ports of the Future – Bringing shipping in line with carbon goals 

Transforming Agriculture in Northern Sweden – A crop unlocks opportunities in northern Sweden  

The Not-So-Sunny-Side of Sunscreen – Sunscreen pollution is altering Mediterranean ecosystems 

Good COP, Bad COP  – UN talks throw host city’s troubles to light 

Recharged for a Circular Future – Extending the life of electric car batteries  

Building Climate Resilience Through Gender and Circularity – Broadening the circular economy for India’s women 

VIEWS

Moving Forward – Sustainable ways of getting around from A to Z 

A Year on From Spain’s DANA – Spain reflects on deadly DANA one year on 

BETWEEN

The Pictures They Don’t Want You to See – Photojournalists reveal the shocking reality of factory farms