The Horizon Europe project GREEN-LOG has released its Policy Recommendations and Strategic Roadmap, a framework designed to help European cities transition toward zero-emission last-mile logistics. Co-funded by the EU with a contribution of roughly €6.3 million, the project ran from January 2023 to June 2026 and was based on Living Lab pilots across five European locations: Athens, Barcelona, Flanders, Oxfordshire, and Ispra.
Rather than working from theory, the recommendations are grounded in real-world evidence: lessons from diverse urban contexts, engagement with public authorities, logistics providers, businesses, and citizens, impact assessments that combine KPIs with qualitative feedback, and an analysis of barriers such as data sharing, competitor cooperation, and regulatory fragmentation.
Policies that work
Six policy priorities emerge from this work. Cities should act as facilitators enabling public-private cooperation rather than directing it themselves. Trusted data-sharing frameworks (potentially via a neutral intermediary) are needed to let cities and operators make informed decisions without exposing commercially sensitive data. Consumer-facing mechanisms like slot pricing and neighborhood delivery slots can nudge demand toward more sustainable options.
Policy fragmentation across local, regional and EU levels remains a major obstacle and needs harmonization. A triple-helix approach involving cities, industry and research organizations is seen as essential for scaling innovation. Finally, smaller and medium-sized cities need dedicated support, since they often lack the resources to design complex logistics strategies on their own.
Roadmap
The accompanying roadmap sets out a three-phase transition model: pilot and preparation (defining objectives, running small-scale trials, measuring impact); scaling proven solutions (through digital tools, stronger infrastructure, and cross-city knowledge transfer); and integrated zero-emission ecosystems (fully connected logistics networks, interoperable data systems, and aligned governance).
This is layered across short-, medium-, and long-term timelines, starting with stakeholder engagement and trust-building, moving through public-private collaboration and consolidation hubs, and ultimately integrating logistics into land-use planning.
The project’s central message is that achieving zero-emission city logistics is as much a governance, coordination and behavioral challenge as it is a technological one. A concise brochure summarising the findings is available for download on the GREEN-LOG website, aimed at policymakers, city authorities, and logistics stakeholders seeking practical guidance on moving from pilot projects to full-scale deployment.