Description
Presentation for Reinventing the City 2026:Urban freight transport is a significant contributor to congestion, air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. To meet European Green Deal targets for a 90% reduction in transport emissions by 2050, Dutch cities have taken a leading role in implementing low- and zero-emission zones (ZEZs). After nearly a decade of preparation, eighteen municipalities introduced zero-emission zones for freight vehicles on 1 January 2025—the first nationwide rollout of its kind. Compliance rates already exceed 95%, but behind this apparent success lies a long process of experimentation, coordination, and negotiation among governments, businesses, and civil society.
This research investigates whether ZE-zones can be considered a “no-regret” measure for cleaner, more liveable cities. Using a qualitative, multi-method approach—document analysis, participation in steering groups, and interviews with key stakeholders—the study traces the development of Dutch ZE-zones from 2014 to 2025. The trajectory reveals three distinct phases: local pilots (“living labs”) in cities such as Rotterdam and Amsterdam; national formalisation through the 2016 Green Deal Zero Emission City Logistics and the 2019 Climate Agreement; and coordinated implementation supported by a national City Logistics Implementation Agenda.
Applying the UN CEPA governance framework, the study identifies four main challenges: limited grid capacity, differing objectives between national and local authorities, variation in local rules, and poor communication with SMEs. These were mitigated through a mix of formal agreements, strong informal ties between civil servants, and municipal networking. Business associations like TLN and Evofenedex and environmental organisations such as Natuur & Milieu played pivotal roles—transforming potential resistance into co-creation and advocacy for continuity.
Key lessons include the importance of local leadership, stable intergovernmental relationships, and stakeholder collaboration to maintain legitimacy. Experimentation through living labs accelerated learning and enabled practical, adaptive policy design.
Still, challenges persist. Smaller firms face high costs and limited access to charging infrastructure; grid congestion could create new bottlenecks; and ZE-zones’ direct climate benefits are modest, given urban freight’s limited share of total emissions.
| Period | 15 Apr 2026 |
|---|---|
| Held at | Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Metropolitan Solutions, Netherlands |
| Degree of Recognition | International |