Freight transport in Europe : in search of a sustainable course.

This is a report on a search for a sustainable future for freight transport in Europe. This search has been undertaken together with interested parties from business and industry: with conveyors, despatchers, consultants and others. In dialogue and discussion with specialists and others having practical involvement in the field, a better understanding can be gained of paths towards sustainable freight transport. This project is part of a far larger project entitled `Sustainable Europe' being undertaken by Friends of the Earth-Europe, in search of perspectives for sustainable development in all the main sectors of the economy. The present report is concerned with freight transport in Europe. The transport of goods constitutes a key link in the European economy which, as a side-effect, causes a substantial amount of environmental pollution. There is therefore every reason to embark on a quest for a sustainable future for this sector. In the framework of the present project a questionnaire survey was held among experts from transport companies, shippers and other organizations. The core question was: what possibilities do you see for reducing the number of truck-kilometres being driven ? Options include higher truck load factors through improved logistics, a shift to more environmentally benign modes of transport, and reviewing the spatial organization of production and distribution in order to shorten transport distances. This question on options for reducing freight traffic was followed by a second question. concerning the main consequences of such a reduction in terms of price rises and reduced quality of transport services. As a follow-up to the survey a workshop was held in Brussels, to consider and debate the results in greater depth. Given the nature and aim of the study, the final result is not some sort of blueprint for sustainable freight transport in Europe. Rather, this report describes suggestions, differences of opinion and philosophies on the subject. Some of these are mentioned in this summary.