We bring Nordic cities together to rethink goods deliveries – reducing emissions and lowering costs. The network funds pilots in cities, maps best practices, and scales solutions in framework agreements.
Overview
Part of Nordic Program on Circular Procurement
This is one of three networks in the Nordic Program on Circular Procurement (NPCP), funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers. Read more about this program.
Moving beyond "zero-emission" and "last-mile"
Originally, we focused solely on zero-emission transportation. Today, our scope also includes logistics optimization to reduce vehicle kilometres driven, as well as cutting emissions further upstream in the supply chain - not just in the last mile.
Nordic Network on Zero Emission Delivery (ZED)
Led by the Norwegian Agency for Public and Financial Management (DFØ), Norway. The purpose of the network is to support zero-emission deliveries and strategies for reduced transport (ton-miles) through better logistics solutions.
Network established in 2019
The network was established in 2019. Read more about the first phase (ZED 1.0) from 2019 to 2021, and the second phase (ZED 2.0) from 2021 to 2025 below:
ZED 1.0
In the first phase, the scope was to promote zero-emission deliveries of goods. Nordic cities had a common interest in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality.In 2019, zero-emission vehicles in logistics were far less common than today, and the technology was still at an early stage, with limited vehicle options and range constraints. However, ambitions were already high. For example, Oslo adopted a target for all city deliveries to be made with zero-emission or biogas vehicles by 2025.
The ZED 1.0 network provided an arena for cities to share best practices. An example is Stockholm city, that was inspired by Oslo to purchase their first electric trailer. In ZED 1.0, the cities issued a joint statement to the market, signaling that Nordic cities were committed to zero-emission technologies for future deliveries.
In the video below, Nordic public procurers share their experiences from ZED 1.0, highlighting successes and lessons learned.
ZED 2.0
Building on the success of ZED 1.0, which ran from 2019 to 2021, this 2.0 version of the project aspired to further advance zero emission delivery in Nordic cities. The network met at least twice a year, and was led by Leverandørutviklingsprogrammet (LUP).
In 2023 we launched open calls, and funded three pilots in Stockholm and Bærum municipalities, as well as NAV Agder, to test solutions for more sustainable deliveries.
The ZED 2.0 included the following partners:
- Danmark: The City of Copenhagen
- Norway: The City of Bærum
- Norway: The Supplier Development Programme (LUP)
- Norway: Nav Assistive Technology Centre Agder
- Norway: The City of Oslo
- Norway: The Norwegian Agency for Public and Financial Management (DFØ)
- Norway: The City of Trondheim
- Sweden: Stockholm Municipality
- Finland: City of Kauniainen
What to expect as a member in the network
- Two network gatherings each year
- You can apply for funding for projects, with close follow-up from the network and our innovation experts
- Possible work on new impact calculators, to identify how cities can cut emissions from deliveries
- Study visits and market dialogues with logistics firms and suppliers
Travel and accommodation support may be provided to municipalities on request.
Goals
- Strengthen cooperation and knowledge exchange on logistics in procurement across Nordic cities and central purchasing bodies.
- Facilitate and closely support 3–4 municipal projects on logistics optimisation in procurement, proving how to reduce costs and emissions and implement solutions organisation-wide.
- Assess and prioritise procurement measures that reduce delivery traffic and costs, identify "low-hanging fruits" and more complex measures, and publish Nordic best practice by 2027.
- Partner with central purchasing bodies to embed best practice in framework agreements, reaching 180+ public organisations by 2027.
Get in touch with us!
Send us an email if you are interested in our network!
| Name | Role | |
|---|---|---|
| Odd Olaf Schei | ZED network lead | [email protected] |
| Sindre Haakonsen | Program lead | [email protected] |
Deep dive into what to expect from workshops
Zero Emission Delivery (ZED) 2.0 Gathering in Stockholm 28-29 May: A Two-Day Summit of Sharing and Innovation
Overview
The two-day event brought together four Nordic cities and two central government procurement bodies and a global innovation driver to share their experiences and lessons learnt on green public procurement pilot projects.
Projects updates, challenges and successes were presented in collaborative and interactive discussions. Whereby fostering knowledge sharing and green innovation in logistics in the public sectors across the Nordics.
Hosted by The City of Stockholm, the group gathered at the Tekniska nämndshuset and discussions were moderated by the Leverandørerutviklingsprogram (LUP). The gathering fulfills a primay goal of the project: to increase cooperation and experience exchange accross Nordic cities.
In the Nordic Region, we have shown time after time that we are stronger together.
The Nordic Prime Ministers
Participants
- The City of Stockholm Environmental Administration, Stockholms stad miljöförvaltningen, with Älskade and Menigo as service delivery partners
- NAV Assistive Technology Centre in Agder, NAV Hjelpemiddelsentral i Agder
- Bærum Municipality
- The Municipality of Oslo Development and Skills Agency, Utviklings- og kompetanseetaten i Oslo (UKE)
- The National Agency for Public Procurement, Upphandlingsmyndigheten
- The Suppliers Development Program, Leverandørutviklingsprogrammet (LUP)
- The Norwegian Agency for Public and Financial Management, Direktoratet for forvaltning og økonomistyring (DFØ)
Agenda highlights
- Experience Sharing by Bærum Municipality focusing on their analysis tool for sustainable delivery.
- Brainstorming Session where the group discussed how the project experiences can benefit cities and municipalities outside of the ZED 2.0 project. Facilitated by LUP, the session explored ideas such as websites, media coverage, webinars, online sharing, meetings, and more.
- Experience Sharing by The City of Stockholm on Off Peak Delivery project where logistics partners Menigo presented strategies and successes with off-peak delivery solutions.
- Team Building activities to strengthen collaboration as a diverse Nordic group.
Appendix
Apply for funding for innovation projects (pilots)
As part of the programme, we have established an innovation fund of a total of 3 million Danish kroner. The scheme aims to support municipalities in testing and scaling solutions that can reduce emissions and costs related to municipal procurement. Municipalities can apply for up to 750,000 kroner per project.
Learn more about pilots funded in Stockholm, Bærum and NAV Agder
NAV Assistive Technology Centre Agder has undertaken significant measures to enhance the sustainability of its transport and logistics operations. By focusing on groupage and efficient coordination, the Centre aims to better utilise available transport capacity, thereby reducing emissions and operational costs.
Bærum, Oslo, and Drammen are addressing transport challenges by improving data integration and reducing manual processes. Their collaboration aims to implement efficient, sustainable strategies to cut emissions, showcasing the power of cross-sector cooperation for a greener future.
In an effort to improve urban logistics and sustainability, the City of Stockholm has partnered with Menigo Foodservice AB to pilot off-peak delivery of food supplies to schools, preschools, and care homes. This initiative, set for Q1 and Q2 of 2024, aims to test and verify the feasibility and benefits of scheduling deliveries outside traditional hours.
You can read more on these projects in Norwegian on Leverandørutviklingsprogrammet's (LUP) website: Utslippsfri varelevering: Tre nordiske prosjekter viser vei - Innovative anskaffelser