Sustainable transport
The climate crisis is (one of) the greatest challenge(s) of our time. The IPCC report from August 2021 leaves no doubt: the earth's temperature is rising faster than expected. The international scientists name the transport sector as one of the major polluters. What is clear is that transport will have to go green. And that the transition to zero-emission or even circular transport is not easy.
Starting point for climate related sustainability in transport is the reduction of the harmful footprint.
The reduction of emissions receives the most attention. This includes reducing greenhouse gases such as CO2 and methane as well as other harmful emissions. In addition, there are also many initiatives in other areas. These include reducing paperwork, for example transport documents (b/l's and waybills) and limiting waste, including regular waste, discharges and recycling of means of transport. The legal framework is not straightforward. Multiple regulators have prescribed rules of various kinds. These may differ from one modality to another.
The sustainability battle in transport has begun, and still has a long way to go. We will be happy to keep you informed.
Marc van Maanen and Jolien Kruit wrote a ‘preadvies’ on Sustainable transport for the Royal Trade Law Association. The preadvies was published in October 2021.
