233 states, banks, companies and truck manufacturers support the Global MOU
At the COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan, Afke van Rijn, Director General Environment and International of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (IenW), announced that 233 parties have now joined the Dutch ambition for clean heavy road transport. This is almost double compared to last year. Among the new endorsers are major players such as Maersk and two new countries: Mozambique and Ethiopia.
The initiative, which was launched in 2021 at the climate summit in Glasgow, focuses on the transition to zero-emission trucks and buses. These vehicles represent only 4% of road traffic worldwide, but are responsible for disproportionately high nitrogen (70%) and CO2 emissions.
New milestone: 38 countries and 233 endorsers
With the addition of Mozambique and Ethiopia, the Global Memorandum of Understanding on Zero-Emission Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles now has 38 participating countries. Together, these countries account for 20% of global truck and bus production and represent 39,5% of global GDP.
In addition, more than 200 companies, banks, states and truck manufacturers have committed to the ambition to introduce only zero-emission trucks and buses from 2040. The new endorsers include companies such as the Danish Maersk and DFDS, as well as Dutch pioneers such as Heineken, Albert Heijn and VDL.
Clean air does not respect borders
The need for a global approach to pollution from road traffic is great. “Clean air does not respect national borders,” Van Rijn emphasized in Azerbaijan. The Global MOU, a collaboration between the Netherlands and the NGO CALSTART, is an important step to reduce harmful emissions worldwide and achieve the climate goals.
Economic opportunities for the Netherlands
State Secretary Chris Jansen (Public Transport and Environment), who represented Van Rijn at the summit, also sees great opportunities for Dutch businesses: “The Netherlands is a leader in sustainable mobility. By working together internationally, we accelerate the production and supply of sustainable vehicles. This makes clean trucks and buses increasingly affordable and creates economic opportunities for our innovative companies.”
A growing network of support
In addition to the Netherlands, countries such as Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Ethiopia, Mozambique, the United Kingdom and the United States are also part of this initiative. The list of endorsers continues to grow, which according to Jansen contributes to both CO2 reduction and economic development.
“It is inspiring to see how countries and companies worldwide are working together to accelerate the transition to clean mobility,” Van Rijn concluded.
Source: Rijksoverheid.nl
