The transport of goods is responsible for 25% of CO2 emissions, 33% of fine particle (PM2.5) emissions and up to 41% of emissions of coarse particles (PM10) produced by the vehicles circulating in the capital. It is clear that emissions are now an issue in relation to the current debate on mobility in and around the capital, according to a new study by the Brussels Studies Institute, discussed in the La Libre Belgique and Le Soir Monday editions.
"Freight vehicles now account for 14% of all traffic entering and leaving the region", quote the authors of the study, demonstrating how the transport of goods plays a part in congestion and the quality of the air in the the capital. They add that "these percentages are likely to rise further: in 2012, the Federal Planning Bureau (BFP) already predicted an 68% increase in Freight Tonne Kilometres (FTK - a measure of actual freight traffic) in Belgium between 2008 and 2030.
The researchers found that the problem is now worrying policymakers. "Research into solutions is already underway but there is a long way to go before anything can be implemented, starting with inter-regional cooperation on the matter", they concluded.
(Source: Belga)
