The EU has agreed on a unified methodology to calculate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transport services. The new rules aim to make it easier to compare the environmental impact of different transport modes, helping consumers and businesses make informed choices while reducing greenwashing risks.
The methodology prioritises primary data over estimates and rewarding operators that measure emissions directly. The European Commission will develop a free, public calculation tool with supporting manuals, to be ready within four years.
This establishes a key foundation for transparent and comparable GHG emissions across transport modes. It reduces complexity and ensures smooth alignment with corporate sustainability and reporting requirements in the travel industry.
Regarding business air travel, the question remains whether non-CO2 effects would be presented as optional reporting.
The Commission, with the European Environment Agency, will also create two free EU databases containing GHG emission intensity and factor values.
This initiative will allow for more informed transport choices and push companies toward greater transparency and accuracy in reporting emissions.
