The European Union has activated this Monday a new regulatory framework aimed at harmonizing how pollutant emissions generated by the transport of goods and passengers are calculated, with the aim that companies and operators apply common criteria when communicating the climate impact of their activities.
For the first time, European regulation establishes a single methodology for quantifying greenhouse gas emissions across all modes of transport, covering road, rail, as well as maritime and air transport.
Until now, according to Brussels, the absence of homogeneous parameters complicated the comparison of data provided by companies in the sector and made it difficult to accurately measure the real environmental effect of different transport alternatives.
The European Commission maintains that this system will facilitate a more accurate assessment of the carbon footprint of their logistics chains for companies, while customers and public administrations will have more coherent information when contracting transport services or defining their environmental goals.
With the entry into force of the regulation, a transitional adaptation period opens during which Brussels will develop the necessary technical rules for its deployment and will offer companies digital support tools. Full implementation of the system is expected by the end of 2030.