EU lawmakers have reached a provisional deal on CountEmissionsEU, a regulation introducing a single method to calculate and report greenhouse gas emissions across all transport modes.

CountEmissionsEU is a common framework for quantifying the greenhouse gas emissions of transport services across different modes.

The Commission has proposed a single methodology for calculating these emissions, a set of default values that can feed in calculations, and additional standards for the verification of the resulting output data and use of calculation tools, supporting sound implementation.

The initiative covers both freight and passenger transport operations and includes emissions stemming from hub operations.

Why is this initiative important?

A common methodology and harmonised set of default values are needed for reliable and accurate GHG emissions data, and to allow a fair comparison between various transport services, according to the European Commission.

More transparency of GHG emissions data can influence the decisions of transport users and create incentives to use more sustainable transport options. Industry experience shows that this can drive innovation and behavioural change – both among the transport service organisers and their customers.

Industry groups such as the International Road Transport Union (IRU) and ALICE, Alliance for Logistics Innovation through Collaboration in Europe (ETP LOGISTICS) has welcomed the clarity and transparency this brings, while others — including CLECAT, (European Association for Forwarding, Transport, Logistics and Customs Services) and European Automobile Manufacturers’​ Association (ACEA) have warn that expanding the rules too broadly could add complexity and administrative burden, especially for smaller hauliers.