European Court of Auditors says road freight is major contributor to urban pollution
Road freight is a significant driver of urban air pollution across the European Union, according to a new report by the European Court of Auditors. The audit, which reviewed pollution levels and policy effectiveness in Athens, Barcelona and Krakow, highlights road transport - and particularly freight - as a major source of nitrogen dioxide (NO?), responsible for nearly half of all NO? emissions in the EU. Nitrogen dioxide, a byproduct of diesel engines often used in freight vehicles, is a leading cause of respiratory issues and cardiovascular disease.
The report links NO? pollution from transport to consistent breaches of EU air quality standards, particularly in densely populated cities.
Despite recent improvements, the selected cities 'still struggle to meet EU limit values', with freight-related emissions cited as a persistent challenge.
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