Harmonised measurement of transport and logistics emissions

Background

As part of the European Green Deal ('Flagship 5 - pricing carbon and providing better incentives for users'), the Commission envisaged a legislative initiative on an EU framework for harmonised measurement of transport and logistics emissions.

The initiative sets out a common framework to calculate and report transport-related greenhouse gas emissions which can be applied to both passenger and freight sectors. Transparent information will allow service providers to monitor and reduce their emissions and improve the efficiency of their transport services, and will enable users to choose the most sustainable option.

Main goal: incentivise the reduction of transport and logistics emissions and contribute to the improvement of transport environmental performance. More specifically:

• provide a single EU framework for calculating Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions data of transport operations/services in both freight and passenger sectors;
• make available reliable and comparable information on the GHG intensity of individual transport services;
• facilitate the uptake of GHG emissions accounting in business practice.

As transport and logistics are international matters, the initiative should consider putting together a framework enabling worldwide alignment.

Key points

The EESC:

• supports the initiative for a harmonised European framework to measure greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for transport services and the need for clear and reliable information to allow consumers to make sustainable decisions regarding transportation;
• thinks that making reliable data on emissions available will encourage sustainability and behavioural change and believes that the establishment of a common regulatory framework will foster transparency;
• calls for a transport sector strategy that ensures a just transition by addressing social issues, protecting workers and guaranteeing accessible and affordable transport services and urges to adopt all necessary measures to safeguard affordable public services in order to ensure that the measures are effective from all perspectives.

Additional information

Section: Transport, Energy, Infrastructure and the Information Society (TEN)

Opinion number: TEN/814

Opinion type: Mandatory

Rapporteur: Angelo Pagliara (Workers - Group II / Italy)

Referral: COM(2023) 441 final 2023/0266 COD

Date of adoption by section: 6 October 2023

Result of the vote: 66 in favour, 0 against, 0 abstentions

Date of adoption in plenary: 25-26 October 2023

Result of the vote: 153 in favour, 1 against, 3 abstentions

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