Author: Tu My Tran, ICLEI – Photos: International Transportation Forum

Cities around the world are facing the pressing need to address the environmental impact of transportation, particularly in relation to freight. Despite trucks constituting less than 4% of vehicles on the road, they are responsible for a staggering 27% of CO2 emissions from road transport. As urbanization continues to increase the populations of and density in cities, the demand for commercial transport has also risen, resulting in swelling congestion and rising harmful emissions.

The guide can be accessed via the Transport Decarbonization Alliance (TDA)’s website: Revamped How-To Guide on ZEZ “Zero-Emission Zones in the City: Don’t Wait to Start with Freight!” – (tda-mobility.org)

Many cities are actively working towards reducing their carbon footprint and adopting low-emission zones (LEZs) and zero-emission zones (ZEZs). This comprehensive guide assists urban planners, transport officials, freight operators, and other stakeholders in navigating the complexities of urban freight and developing zero-emission zones for freight (ZEZ-Fs). By implementing ZEZ-Fs, cities can decarbonize, improve air quality, reduce congestion, promote environmental justice, enhance delivery efficiency, and more.

Recognizing the challenges associated with implementing ZEZ-Fs, the updated version includes additional examples from cities of all sizes worldwide, serving as a source of inspiration and offering practical suggestions for initiating the implementation of ZEZ-Fs. The guide emphasizes that transitioning to zero-emission zones should be viewed as an ongoing process of continuous improvement rather than a one-off project. 

The guide highlights that cities do not need extensive resources to plan for and successfully implement ZEZ-Fs. It showcases the work done by various cities, such as Bologna, London, Madrid, Quito, Rotterdam, Seoul, Taoyuan, which have implemented innovative actions and strategies through projects like the EcoLogistics: Low carbon freight for sustainable cities and the EU-funded SolutionsPlus.

The guide emphasizes that cities can start small and take concrete steps towards sustainable freight, aligning with local regulations and collaborating with stakeholders to ensure effective charging infrastructure for all classes of freight vehicles.

To facilitate the buy-in and approval necessary for ZEZ-Fs, the guide outlines a step-by-step approach that cities should consider. This approach includes obtaining relevant data, identifying a starting point for a ZEZ-F, engaging stakeholders, setting targets aligned with regional and international goals, clarifying regulatory powers, defining an implementation pathway and strategy, establishing an ambitious yet realistic timeline, conducting tests and pilot projects, evaluating results, and making necessary adjustments for further progress.

Launch press conference at the ITF

Overall, the “Zero-Emission Zones in the City: Don’t Wait to Start with Freight!” how-to guide serve as a vital resource for city planners, transportation officials, and freight stakeholders. By following its insights and recommendations, cities can pave the way for a greener and more sustainable future by effectively reducing emissions from freight transportation and enhancing the overall quality of urban life.

The guide is part of a collaborative effort among California Air Resources Board, Calstart, C40, Concito, Freight Matters, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, Transport Decarbonization Alliance, Transport Research Lab (TRElab), POLIS and WRI and it was launched at a press conference at the International Transportation Forum on 25 May 2023 in Leipzig, Germany