The European Commission Wednesday unveiled twin initiatives aimed at slashing transport carbon emissions across the continent -- by expanding high-speed rail links and boosting sustainable fuels for aviation and shipping.

The first is a plan for linking capitals across Europe via high-speed rail by 2040 -- both by upgrading existing lines and building new ones.

Under the proposal, travel times from Berlin to Copenhagen could be slashed from seven to four hours, while a journey from Athens to Sofia would take six hours instead of nearly 14.

It would also open up new connections, such as Paris to Lisbon.

To that end, Brussels is working to remove barriers to cross-border rail travel -- from harmonising ticketing systems, with a legal proposal expected early next year, to boosting competi

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