Current State

Main References Eltis. (2019. 05 28). Sustainable Transport System. Forrás: The Urban Mobility Observatory: https://www.eltis.org/glossary/sustainable-transport-system Eltis. (2021. 06 02). The Urban Mobility Observatory. Forrás: The SUMP Concept: https://www.eltis.org/mobility-plans/sump-concept European Commission. (2013). Employment in the EU transport sector. European Union. European Commission. (2019). The European Green Deal, COM(2019) 640 final. European Commission. European Commission. (2020). Sustainable and smart mobility strategy, COM(2020) 789 final. European Commission. European Commission. (2021). The new EU urban mobility framework, COM(2021) 811 final. European Commission. European Union. (2013). Union guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network, Regulation (EU) No 1315/2013. Official Journal of the European Union . The United Nations Secretary General’s High-Level Advisory Group on Sustainable Transport. (2016). Mobilizing sustainable transport for development. United Stations. United Nations. (2021. 10). Fact Sheet. Climate Change. Forrás: UN Sustainable Transport Conference: https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/media_gstc/FACT_SHEET_Climate_Change.pdf

Conclusive remarks The transportation of goods and people is constantly increasing due to economic growth and the needs of the global market. For example, the raising trends of e-commerce, deriving from the development of ICTs but also from the restrictions of the Covid-19 period, persist, creating rising demand for freight transport. Largely depending on fossil fuel, the development of the transport sector is leading to significant negative impacts on energy consumption and emissions. Nowadays, this is extremely important due to the climate and energy crisis and the pursuit of the UN sustainable development goals. On the other hand, the transport sector has a very positive impact on the economy and employment. Thus, it is important to promote the transition of the sector towards green and climate-neutral solutions, comprising the appropriate policies, technologies and business models as well as the suitable awareness raising and training of both administrative and operative personnel. In this framework, taking into account that last-mile transportation is an integral part of the logistics chain, the purpose of the “Couriers Go Green” project is to develop a strategy and a training and certification scheme that will offer competencies and motivation to courier, postal and delivery organisations and their personnel in order to optimize their overall green environmental performance. Focusing on Europe, the current report briefly presents the corresponding policy priorities at EU level. The main strategies for the green transition of the EU economy are outlined in the European Green Deal, which sets ambitious targets for each economic sector including the transport sector. These strategies are interpreted into specific policies in the EU smart and sustainable mobility strategy and the new EU urban mobility framework. Furthermore, the current TEN-T policy is focusing on the deployment of smart and sustainable mutlimodal infrastructure with specific reference to the imprtance of green and effective last-mile transportation in cities that comprise the TEN-T urban nodes. According to this documentation, the target is to reduce GHG emissions from transport by at least 90% by 2050 compared to 1990 levels. This is historically the most ambitious target for the EU transport and mobility policy and requires the combination of a wide array of legislation, standardisation, innovation, policy and cooperation to achieve awareness raising, engagement and action. Implementing the EU policy and SDGs, member-states are setting national targets to reduce emissions from transport, with different degrees of ambition and different levels of achievement. The current report reviews the main tools and methods of international practice, with focus on the EU experience, for the green transition of transport. The tools and methods which were identified refer to the following: Carbon footprint calculation in order to assess the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by an organisation’s activity in different activity areas so as to identify problems and opportunities to reduce their carbon footprint. Life cycle management and assessment of operations regarding their environmental impact throughout the entire life cycle of products and services. LCA not only allows for the investigation of areas for the improvement of environmental performance but also to identify the appropriate stages throught time from raw material to product disposal and/or recycling. Sustainable transport planning refers to the circular process of designing, developing and evaluating sustainable transport systems in a holistic and interdisciplinary approach. This approach for urban passenger mobility and freight transport in European cities is embedded in the SUMP and the SULP guidelines. Multimodality, accessibility, health and livability, safety and security, economic development, social equity and environmental sustainability are key priorities in these guidelines. Different on-site techniques and desktop analysis tools are combined in the appropriate phases of sustainable transport planning, enhanced by the support of ICTs. Sustainable logistics and supply chain management is the process of managing the flow of goods, services, and information in a sustainable way for current and future needs by incorporating the economic, social, and environmental impacts of logistics and supply chain activities. Efficiency and effectiveness, environmental, social and economic sustainability, transparency and traceability of door-to-door operations, risk management and exploitation of technological and managerial innovation are key components. Nowadays, different management tools, including ICT-based software and equipment, are integrated into the different steps of supply chain. Green procurement aims to guarantee the quality of a product, contract or service Through green procurement so that environmental impacts are reduced and the process of selecting new materials and resources can create new opportunities and ultimately reduce production costs. Eco-friendly packaging (or green packaging or ecological packaging) aims to minimise waste and reduce the negative impact of packaging materials on the environment. Main features are the use of renewable materials and resources, the reduction of the amount of packaging material, the reuse of packaging when possible, the recovery and recycling of packaging materials and the use of packaging materials that are broken down naturally without harming the environment. Energy efficient vehicles, buildings and equipment are designed to save energy and resources, while providing high quality service. This is achieved through various means, e.g. the installation of appropriate infrastructure and equipment for energy efficient heating and cooling, lighting, charging of vehicles etc., the use of on-site renewable energy production and the implementation of smart building technologies to monitor and dynamically optimize energy consumption. Automated and digital operations, related to the request for continuously improved services but also to new vulnerabilities and increased challenges, are based on the workflow of a business supported by digital technology, either in part or in whole. Employee engagement and education by an organisation is likely to result to higher employee engagement and commitment to the organisation that is expected to lead to higher productivity, innovation and overall performance. In addition, the impact is positive for the employees, leading to reduced stress levels and increased job satisfaction. Collaboration/networking with private and public organisations aiming to provide access to resources and expertise that may be available only trhough collaboration. Main components are the clear communication and understanding between all parties involved, flexibility and adaptability and shared commitment and vision. Regularly monitoring and reporting progress of

Questionnaire survey and interviews Questionnaire survey methodology The questionnaire was addressed to two groups of stakeholders, i.e.: Main target group, namely courier, postal and delivery services and public authorities responsible for policy making and management Secondary target group, namely transport & logistics as well as climate and environmental strategy consultants, research institutions and other relevant organisations The questionnaire survey contained questions to both target groups aiming at the following objectives: Collection of information on the stakeholder organisations Assessment of the level of awareness and knowledge regarding the current EU and national policy framework on the green transition of transport & logistics Assessment of the significance of the above-mentioned policies for the green transition of transport & logistics, according to the stakeholders’ view Collection of information on the implementation of sustainability management systems and relevant certifications, as well as other actions, initiatives and networks for green transition Assessment of the significance of specific obstacles towards the green transition of a courier/postal/delivery service organization, according to stakeholders’ view Assessment of the significance of specific priorities towards the green transition of a courier/postal/delivery service organization Furthermore, a set of questions was exclusively addressed to the main target group aiming at the following objectives: Collection of information by the main target group on the following: green transition strategies; training schemes for “green” skills to employees; schemes for the certification of employees’ “green” skills Assessment of the significance of each of the above, if planned or implemented, regarding the impact on the organisations’ sustainable and efficient operations, according to the stakeholders’ view Assessment of the extend that each of the above, if planned or implemented, covers specific priorities towards the green transition of a courier/postal/delivery service organization The questionnaires were developed in English and translated to Hungarian, Romanian and Greek. The survey was conducted on-line using electronic forms (google forms) and via e-mail. A total of 43 filled-in questionnaires were collected with the target amount being 40 questionnaires. The questionnaire form is presented in Annex 1. The questionnaire results are presented in sub-section 4.3.   Interview methodology The interview was addressed mainly to the main target group of stakeholders, i.e. different types of courier, postal and delivery services and public authorities responsible for policy making and management. The interview form is based on the questionnaire form, while more information was asked regarding specific questions of the questionnaire. The additional questions covered the following: Collection of information on EU and national policy frameworks on the green transition of transport & logistics Description of challenges towards the implementation of the green transition policy (e.g. institutional barriers, maturity and readiness etc.) Collection of information on the organisation’s green transition strategy, if planned or implemented, the way it was derived and the significance of its impact on its sustainable and efficient operations Collection of information on employee training/certification schemes, if planned or implemented, and the significance of their impact on its sustainable and efficient operations Description of any other actions, initiatives and networks for green transition Description of obstacles for the organisation’s green transition, priorities/measures to address them and impact of these priorities/measures Collection of information regarding the coverage of the priorities for green transition by the organisation’s strategy and employee training/certification scheme, if planned or implemented Sharing success stories regarding your organization’s activities towards green transition   Questionnaire and interview results A total of 43 successfully completed forms were collected in the period 26/02/2023-03/04/2023, out of which 16 interviews (with embedded questionnaire) and 27 questionnaires (Figure 1). The headquarters of the organisations of participants are located in Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Spain and the UK. Figure 1: Distribution of completed surveys by survey type (source: Own elaboration) More than 1/3 of the participating organisations correspond to the main target group, i.e. 7 courier services, 1 postal service, 6 delivery services and 2 public authorities. Research units from Universities and consultants represent the majority of the remaining organisation (Figure 2). The rest of the participating organisations represent the following sectors: Shipping agencies Industry Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Manufacturers, including companies that manage perishable goods Pharmaceuticals Supermarket chains Figure 2: Distribution of participating organisations by type (source: Own elaboration) The participating organisations were categorized according to the size of their enterprise, based on the Eurostat Glossary. The results are presented in Figure 3. Almost 2/3 of the enterprises are large or medium-sized. As expected from the type of organisations, most of them are private, for-profit companies. Public organisations are mainly public authorities and the University research units (Figure 4). Figure 3: Distribution of participating organisations by enterprise size (according to Eurostat Glossary) (source: Own elaboration) Figure 4: Distribution of participating organisations by sector (source: Own elaboration) The main activity of ¾ of the participating organisations is international, either in EU or the world, and the main activity of the remaining ¼ is almost equally distributed between the local and national range (Figure 5). More specifically, the activity of 9 out of 14 courier, postal and delivey service organisations is international. Figure 5: Geographic range of participating organisations’ activity (source: Own elaboration) Almost ¾ of the representatives of participating organisations state that they have a general knowledge of the EU policy on the green transition of transport & logistics, while only 6 representatives declare that they are fully informed. Similarly, almost ¾ of the participants declare that they are aware of a national policy framework on the green transition of transport & logistics. Respondents have commented on the Greek national policy, mentioning the relevant commitments to promote sustainable transport and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector. For example, in 2019 (FEK Β΄4893/31.12.2019), the Greek Ministry of Environment and Energy released the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), which includes targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector. The plan aims to increase the share of electric vehicles in the national fleet and to promote the use of alternative fuels such as natural gas and hydrogen. Further legislatives measures on electromobility were included in the law for

State analysis of methods and tools Carbon footprint calculation Methods that companies can use to quantify their greenhouse gas emissions and identify areas for improvement are: Carbon footprint calculation: This method involves measuring and quantifying the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by the company’s transportation activities, such as fuel consumption, vehicle usage, and transportation routes. Companies can use this information to identify areas where emissions can be reduced, such as by switching to lower-carbon transportation modes, optimizing routes, or reducing vehicle usage. Life Cycle Analysis (LCA): This method involves evaluating the environmental impact of the company’s transportation activities throughout the entire life cycle of the products and services, from raw material extraction to disposal. LCA can help companies identify areas where emissions can be reduced, such as by using more sustainable transportation modes, reducing packaging, or improving energy efficiency. Emissions reporting and monitoring: This method involves regularly monitoring and reporting on the company’s emissions, such as through the use of emissions reporting software or by participating in mandatory or voluntary emissions reporting programs. This can help companies identify areas for improvement and track progress towards emissions reduction goals. Auditing: This method involves conducting an independent assessment of the company’s transportation activities to identify areas where emissions can be reduced. This can include an assessment of the company’s fleet, transportation routes, and logistics operations. Benchmarking: This method involves comparing the company’s emissions to those of other companies in the industry, or to industry averages. This can help companies identify areas where they are performing well, and areas where they can improve. Stakeholder engagement: This method involves engaging with stakeholders, such as customers, suppliers, and local communities, to understand their expectations and gather feedback on the company’s transportation activities. This can help companies identify areas where they can improve their environmental performance. Environmental management systems (EMS): An Environmental Management System (EMS) is a framework that a company or organization can use to manage their environmental responsibilities. ISO 14001 is the international standard for an EMS. It can help companies to identify and control the environmental impact of their activities, products or services, and to improve their environmental performance. Indicators used: i. Output indicator – CO2 intensity per km of transport infrastructure; ii. Mobility indicator – CO2 intensity per unit of passenger-km and freight-km by project type; iii. Investment indicator – CO2 intensity per € of investment provides values for each transport mode that are consistent with the other indicators.   Life cycle management and assessment of operations The Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) is a methodology that allows transportation and freight companies to evaluate the environmental impact of their products and services throughout their entire life cycle. LCA is a standardized methodology and is widely used by different industries and sectors to evaluate the environmental impact of their products and services. It is also a tool to identify opportunities to improve the environmental performance of a product or a service. In addition, there are also other methodologies such as the Environmental Product Declarations (EPD), which is a standardized tool that allows companies to communicate the environmental performance of their products, and the Carbon Trust Standard (CTS) which is a certification scheme that verifies the carbon footprint of a product or service. LCA typically includes the following steps: Goal and scope definition: This step involves defining the goals and scope of the analysis, including the products and services to be evaluated, the functional unit, and the impact categories. Inventory analysis: This step involves collecting data on the inputs and outputs of the products and services throughout their entire life cycle, including raw material extraction, transportation, manufacturing, use, and disposal. Impact assessment: This step involves evaluating the environmental impact of the products and services based on the data collected in the inventory analysis. This can include calculating greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, water use, and other environmental impacts. Interpretation: This step involves interpreting the results of the impact assessment and identifying areas where the environmental impact of the products and services can be reduced. Improvement: This step involves implementing changes to the products and services based on the results of the interpretation, in order to reduce their environmental impact. Communication: This step involves communicating the results of the LCA to stakeholders, such as customers, suppliers, and regulators. A life-cycle assessment (LCA) is a tool used to evaluate the environmental impacts of a product or service throughout its entire life cycle. For a courier company, a LCA would need to take into account the following aspects: Raw materials: The extraction, processing, and transportation of raw materials used in the production of vehicles and packaging materials. Manufacturing: The energy and resource consumption during the manufacturing of vehicles and packaging materials. Transportation: The energy consumption and emissions from the transportation of vehicles and packaging materials to the company. Use: The energy consumption and emissions from the operation of the vehicles and the transport of packages. End-of-life: The disposal or recycling of vehicles and packaging materials at the end of their useful life. Supply Chain: The energy consumption and emissions from the entire supply chain including suppliers and partners Emissions: calculation of the emissions of greenhouse gases, particulate matter and other pollutants. Energy use: calculation of the energy consumption during the whole life cycle Water use: calculation of the water consumption during the whole life cycle Waste generation: calculation of the waste generation during the whole life cycle Environmental impact categories: calculation of the environmental impact of the company’s activities in categories such as climate change, resource depletion, and human toxicity. By conducting a LCA, a courier company can identify the key areas of its operations that have the greatest environmental impact and develop strategies to minimize those impacts.   Sustainable transport planning Sustainable transport is defined as the provision of services and infrastructure for the mobility of people and goods— advancing economic and social development to benefit today’s and future generations—in a manner that is safe, affordable, accessible, efficient, and resilient, while minimising carbon and other

Overview of the EU policy framework In view of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement, the EU has set ambitious targets for a fair and inclusive transition towards the decarbonization of the European economy (European Commission, 2019). According to the EU smart and sustainable mobility strategy (European Commission, 2020), the target is to reduce GHG emissions from transport by at least 90% by 2050 compared to 1990 levels. To achieve this, the EU is implementing a number of policies and initiatives aimed at promoting the use of low-carbon transport modes. Strategic priorities deriving from the smart and sustainable mobility strategy (European Commission, 2020) and the new EU urban mobility framework (European Commission, 2020) are the following: Doubling rail freight traffic by 2050; revising of CO2 emission performance standards for heavy-duty vehicles; enhancing multimodal connections with urban rail and inland waterways; shifting to electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, as well as cargo bikes; developing new distribution models and infrastructure; capitalizing on dynamic routing and smart services; data collection/submission at least for GHG and pollutant emissions, noise, congestion, accidents, modal share, access to mobility services; development of multimodal freight terminals in TEN-T urban nodes; and integrating existing Sustainable Urban Logistics Plans (SULPs) in the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP) framework. In addition, the current TEN-T EU policy for the development of an EU-wide multimodal transport network aims to contribute to EU priorities for the environment and climate change, as well as the competitiveness and socio-economic and territorial cohesion (European Union, 2013). Implementing the EU policy, member-states are setting national targets to reduce emissions from transport, with different degrees of ambition. For example, Germany and the Netherlands have set the target of at least 30% of new car sales to be electric vehicles by 2030. European governments and companies are also investing for the upgrade of sustainable logistics and supply chain management infrastructure and services. In the postal sector, companies, such as PostNord in Sweden, have set ambitious targets to reduce their carbon footprint by promoting sustainable transport policies. More information on specific national policies and company initiatives are presented in the relevant subsections of Chapter 4. Overall, the EU is making significant efforts to promote the green transition of the transport sector  and to implement sustainable logistics and supply chain management practices, including urban deliveries and last-mile transportation. However, there are diverse needs and different levels of ambition between member-states, while there is still a long way to go to achieve the EU target to become “carbon-neutral” by 2050.          

The transport sector is responsible for about a quarter of Green House Gas (GHG) emissions, with 95% of energy for transport depending on fossil fuel (United Nations, 2021). Freight transport and supply chain operations correspond to a significant share of the impact of transportation on climate change and air quality. Last-mile deliveries are constantly increasing. In the European Union (EU), a 25% increase of consumer e-commerce deliveries was observed in 2020 due to the pandemic, a trend which is likely to persist (European Commission, 2021). On the other hand, the EU transport sector accounts for over 10,000,000 jobs (4.5% of total workforce) and represents 4.6% of gross domestic product (GDP) (European Commission, 2013). Promoting the sustainability of the EU transport sector in terms of socio-economic development in a way that respects and protects planetary boundaries requires the green transition of courier and transportation operations. In this framework, the purpose of the “Couriers Go Green” project is to develop a strategy as well as a training and certification scheme that will offer competencies and motivation to target group organisations and their personnel in order to optimize their overall green environmental performance. The objective of this report as main deliverable of project Activity 2.1: “Pooling of knowledge” is to set the criteria and requirements of an online Europe-wide assessment, which will be developed in Activity 2.2: “Development of Strategic Planning Green Framework Document”. The analysis is based on the review of current policy and literature and the results from a questionnaire survey and a series of in-depth interviews, also conducted during Act. 2.1. In the next chapter of the report an overview of current EU policy is presented regarding the targets and strategies for the green transition of freight transportation and logistics, with focus on last-mile delivery, courier and postal services. The third chapter refers to the state analysis of methods and tools that can be used to implement a green strategy for courier, postal, and transport companies. In the following chapter, the process and main results of the questionnaire survey and interviews are described. The final chapter concentrates the main findings from Act. 2.1, which will provide the necessary input to follow-up activities.