NEWS - 2025/11/01

CARNET Delivers Low Emission Zone Course in Thessaloniki

CARNET has launched this year a new tailored Low Emission Zone (LEZ) implementation course for Thessaloniki. This initiative, with the support of EIT Urban Mobility, responds to the urgent local and national need for cleaner air, reduced congestion, and more resilient urban spaces as Thessaloniki prepares to expand its LEZ in line with the city’s Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP) and Greece’s Climate Law 4936/2022.

Addressing Context and Challenges

Greece faces acute urban challenges: high levels of air pollution, traffic congestion, limited public space, and one of the oldest vehicle fleets in the European Union. These factors exacerbate health risks and environmental impacts, reinforcing the need for measures that reduce fossil fuel dependency and improve urban resilience. Thessaloniki, where PM10 and NO₂ concentrations regularly exceed EU limits, requires robust LEZ policies integrated with public transport and micromobility solutions.

A Course Designed for Knowledge for Impact

CARNET’s course equips municipal technical staff and decision-makers to overcome the unique obstacles of LEZ deployment. The training covers:

        • Core LEZ concepts: Restricting or banning polluting vehicles to improve air quality.
        • LEZ models: Charging-based approaches (e.g., London) and non-charging approaches (e.g., Brussels, Lisbon).
        • Emission standards and vehicle labeling: Euro 1–6 classifications, environmental stickers from black to blue, and monitoring strategies via cameras or police checks.
        • Transparent enforcement and public engagement: Ensuring policy legitimacy and community support.
        • Supportive measures: Incentives for clean vehicles, public transport upgrades, and planning for gradual transitions toward Zero Emission Zones (ZEZ).

Implementation Principles and Local Customization

The course emphasizes effective boundaries, emission criteria, and public engagement. Through interactive workshops and hands-on training, Thessaloniki’s technical teams can plan for incremental LEZ expansion while receiving guidance on funding, governance, and coordination between local and regional authorities, in line with SUMP objectives.

Supporting Thessaloniki’s Sustainable Future

Currently, Thessaloniki’s LEZ restricts heavy diesel trucks and buses, with exemptions for smaller and foreign vehicles. The city’s 2027 pilot LEZ, developed with CARNET’s guidance, will build on this foundation, integrating measures for traffic reduction, cleaner mobility, and public transport improvements. By empowering city leaders and municipal teams, CARNET’s initiative supports Thessaloniki’s ambitions to meet national carbon neutrality targets by 2050 and phase out internal combustion vehicles by 2035.

Through this course, developed with the collaboration of CERTH and HIT as local partners and organizers of the activities, CARNET is helping Thessaloniki create healthier, more sustainable urban spaces while providing a replicable model for other Greek cities facing similar challenges.

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