POLIS at the forefront of green urban logistics in Brussels
Brussels Environment and Brussels Mobility have launched the second cycle of the Green Deal for sustainable urban freight. This initiative, which is part of the 'Brussels Shifting Economy' programme and 'Good Move' plan, brings together public and private stakeholders to make urban logistics less polluting, more efficient and more sustainable.
The Green Deal for Low-Emission Urban Logistics of the Brussels Metropolitan Region aims to raise awareness, bring together, and engage logistics stakeholders in Brussels to 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀. The first cycle, launched in April 2023, had 63 signatories and produced remarkable results:
- more than one million kilometres avoided in freight transport;
- the creation of 12 urban logistics platforms;
- strong growth in bicycle courier services;
- more than 150,000 kilometres travelled by electric trucks.
The second cycle (2025-2027) extends this commitment to 85 signatories. Together, they are focusing again on four priorities: (i) raising awareness among customers and partners, (ii) reducing the number of kilometres travelled, (iii) transitioning to low-carbon modes of transport, and (iv) deploying new clean technologies such as electric lorries and hydrogen.
According to Brussels Minister for Climate Transition and the Environment Alain Maron, the success of the Green Deal shows that a profound transformation is underway, thanks to the collective commitment of Brussels businesses and institutions. Minister for Mobility Elke Van den Brandt emphasised that logistics must be fundamentally rethought to meet climate challenges and improve the quality of life in the city.
16,000 lorries and 30,000 vans per day
Some 16,000 lorries and 30,000 vans travel through the capital every day. Together, they account for nearly a third of greenhouse gas emissions from road transport and a significant proportion of air and noise pollution. According to figures from Brussels Environment and Brussels Mobility, freight transport is responsible for 15% of kilometres travelled, 26% of fine particle emissions (PM2.5), up to 39% of NOx emissions and 24% of CO₂ emissions.
The Green Deal for Low-Emission Urban Logistics aims to reduce this impact through collaboration and innovation. The diversity of the 88 signatories, ranging from multinationals and SMEs to government agencies and cooperatives, creates a vast dynamic for learning, innovation and collaboration.
POLIS engagements
At the launch event on Thursday, 4 September at Tour & Taxis, POLIS Secretary-General Karen Vancluysen attended the event and signed on-site the agreement, committing POLIS also in this new cycle to:
- Inspire Green Deal members and connect them with POLIS members via online webinars and in-person events focused on specific topics related to urban logistics
- Encourage Green Deal members to promote their actions at the POLIS Annual Conference.
See the results of this first cycle in the final report here. Find the list of signatories and all their commitments in the cycle 2 agreement here.
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