Category «Policies»

A practical methodology for implementing circular solutions

The European Commission’s report, A practical methodology for implementing circular solutions, offers a concrete, operational framework for turning circular economy ambitions into implementable projects at the city and regional levels. Developed within the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI), the methodology directly addresses a recurring challenge in logistics and urban systems: while circular strategies are widely adopted …

Europe’s locker potential is trapped in paperwork?

Europe’s last-mile parcel delivery system is approaching a structural breaking point. Rapid growth in e-commerce, driven by platforms such as Amazon, Temu, and Shein, combined with the expansion of recommerce via players like Vinted and eBay, and return-intensive fashion flows from Zalando, H&M, and ZARA, is overwhelming traditional door-to-door delivery and parcel shop models. As …

Public inquiry regarding the offer and use of parcel lockers in Belgium

Belgium is experiencing a rapid expansion of parcel locker networks, prompting the Belgian Institute for Postal Services and Telecommunications (BIPT) to launch a public consultation on their future development and regulation. Parcel lockers have grown nearly tenfold in six years: by the end of 2024, Belgium counted 1,684 lockers, up from just over 170 in …

Fast Shipping, Slow Justice: What NYC Must Do About Last-Mile Delivery

The e-commerce boom has turned last-mile logistics into a permanent feature of urban life: millions of parcels a day, dense networks of depots, and streets full of vans, trucks, and bikes. The report Fast Shipping. Slow Justice shows what that looks like in New York City: more crashes near warehouses, higher pollution in environmental justice …

Safer trucks, fewer victims: what London’s Direct Vision Standard means for road freight

London is showing that safer trucks save lives. New data released during Road Safety Week confirms that the city’s Direct Vision Standard (DVS) for heavy goods vehicles is driving a dramatic improvement in safety for vulnerable road users. Since DVS was introduced in 2019, deaths and serious injuries involving pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists in collisions …

The European Commission is preparing a new EU Delivery Act for postal and parcel delivery

As part of the EU single market strategy adopted in May 2025, a new EU Delivery Act is proposed to replace the Postal Services Directive and the Cross-border Parcels Regulation in Q4 2026. Reform of EU rules on postal services will focus on delivery as a service, ensuring that people and businesses can receive deliveries …

Zero-Emission Zones: No Regret or False Promise?

ICCT published an interesting blog about Zero-emission zones: The Netherlands’ path to cleaner urban freight. The blog presents lessons for other countries. But are these lessons true? What is really going on in the Netherlands? Are zero-emissions zones a no-regret measure for cities worldwide? As of January 1, 2025, sixteen Dutch municipalities have implemented zero-emission …

City Logistics in France: The Role of Local Authorities and the InTerLUD Program

Recent research has underscored the central role of local authorities in shaping sustainable urban logistics. Although European directives have long encouraged greener freight solutions, French planning documents have historically paid limited attention to logistics. A new study, analyzing 121 local authorities, provides fresh insights into how urban logistics is being gradually integrated into local public …

UNECE Study on Green and Health Jobs in Transport: Greening Parcel Deliveries in Cities

Urban freight is the silent engine of city life. From parcels and groceries to construction materials, logistics keeps urban economies moving. Yet this essential flow of goods also contributes heavily to congestion, noise, air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. With urban populations and e-commerce both rising sharply, sustainable solutions for city logistics are more urgent …

Data Sharing: The Missing Link in Zero-Emission City Logistics

Cities across Europe are under pressure to deliver cleaner, safer, and more efficient urban logistics. With zero-emission zones expanding, e-commerce booming, and construction traffic reshaping streets, the need for reliable data on freight flows has never been greater. The recent recommendations of the Expert Group on Urban Mobility (EGUM) highlight how data sharing can unlock …