About the project

INTERACTION: improving logistics and freight transport

INTERACTION (International Transport and Energy Reduction Action) aims to enhance logistics and freight transport performance by shippers to reduce energy consumption, CO2-emissions and transport costs. The project is part of the IEE(Intelligent Energy Europe) programme of the European Commission and builds on a successful project in the Netherlands (Sectoral Approach, 2005) in which 50 companies linked to six industry associations realised on average a 5-10% transport costs reduction.

Objectives

The main objectives of INTERACTION are:

  1. to promote the reduction of energy use in freight transport via industry associations;
  2. to identify best practice approaches in different countries and exchange information among the different participating countries
  3. to realise a sustainable focus on energy reduction in freight transportation on the EU level also after finalisation of the proposed action through the creation of a strong network of stakeholders in this field throughout the EU and different industries
  4. (Experimenting with and) Developing a framework on exploring cross-border and cross supply-chain opportunities for reducing energy use in freight transport.

Target groups

Industry associations and their individual member companies/organisations (shippers).

Taylored solutions

INTERACTION will provide taylored solutions to the participating industry associations and companies. Examples of feasible measures are: clean vehicles, collaboration (e.g. consolidating freight), improvements in the internal logistics organisation, modal shift, standardization of loading units, transport avoidance, ecodriving, etc. Together with you, we will identify, and possibly implement, measures which improve the logistics and freight transport performance of your organisation. When possible/relevant cross-border supply chain issues will also be adressed.
Your benefit will be cost-reduction and/or profit maximisation. Benefits for society will be on energy- and CO2-reduction.

Chances for good promotion

INTERACTION progress and results will be extensively promoted in specialist journals throughout Europe. Also, to create awareness and to communicate best practices, awards will be awarded to one company in each participating sector of industry. Ultimately, an overall EU INTERACTION award will be awarded. This of course brings a lot of free publicity to your organization.

How to apply?

Per country three industry associations will participate, involving at least 15 companies. Each company project is expected to start before March 2007 and finish before March 2008.