Second Round of National Stakeholder Meetings Expands Dialogue on Transport Decarbonisation
PATH2ZERO continues to bring together national representatives of relevant stakeholder groups in the second round of National Stakeholder Group (NSG) meetings across partner countries. Building on the momentum of the first cycle, marked by lively debate and clear identification of decarbonisation challenges, the latest workshops are already generating valuable insights.
Italy: A Bilateral Deep Dive into Modelling
Italy’s second NSG meeting opened this round with a focused technical session dedicated to modelling. Held online on 21 October 2025, the meeting brought together experts from TRT and the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA) for an in-depth discussion on the development of PATH2ZERO’s STraDyM model.
As the institution responsible for Italy’s national emissions inventory and future scenarios, ISPRA plays a key role in ensuring the accuracy and relevance of national transport projections. During the meeting, TRT presented the structure and methodology of the STraDyM model, which uses a system-dynamics approach to simulate transport activity, vehicle fleets, energy use, and greenhouse gas emissions through 2050.
The exchange allowed both teams to explore how the model reflects national strategies, which measures are included in Italy’s With Measures (WM) scenario, and how underlying assumptions are represented in both modelling frameworks. ISPRA also shared detailed documentation and scenario datasets to support calibration, helping align the forthcoming PATH2ZERO Reference Scenario with Italy’s existing national projections.
This technical dialogue served as a strong foundation for future collaboration, reinforcing the importance of integrating national expertise into the development of STraDyM.
Looking ahead, Italy’s next NSG meeting will take place alongside the European National Stakeholder Forum (ENSF) meeting, paving the way for broader exchanges between national and European-level experts.
Spotlight on Innovation: The STraDyM Model Nears Completion
Across the consortium, work on the STraDyM model, central to the upcoming P2Z_Forecaster tool, is progressing rapidly. Designed as a suite of country-specific models covering the EU27, plus Norway, Switzerland, and the UK, STraDyM will simulate how transport systems evolve under different policy pathways.
Using system-dynamics software, the model captures feedback loops and interactions across four interconnected components: passenger transport, freight transport, road vehicle fleets, and energy and emissions. It also incorporates national data stretching back to 2015 and forward to 2050, enabling a consistent, long-term view of decarbonisation trajectories.
Extensive data collection and internal review have supported the model’s development so far. Current work focuses on finalising coding and assembling the detailed datasets that serve as inputs. A report describing model calibration and validation, is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year, followed by a full model description in February 2026.
Greece: Strengthening Collaboration for Transport Decarbonisation
Greece’s second NSG meeting took place on 7 November 2026, bringing together more than twenty representatives from ministries, transport authorities, energy providers, research institutions, mobility companies, and industry associations. The session aimed to enhance national collaboration and strengthen Greece’s contribution to accelerate Europe’s transition to sustainable transport.
Participants were briefed on the project’s progress and the latest developments in analytical tools, including the Common Analytical Framework (CAF), PolicyFrameMapper, DataSyncer V1, and the P2Z Forecaster. These tools enable harmonised data collection, policy mapping, predictive modelling, and comparative evaluation of transport decarbonisation pathways.
Key national insights emerged from stakeholder discussions. Greece is improving air-quality monitoring in line with EU directives, tracking greenhouse gases, ozone, PM10, and PM2.5. Challenges remain, including an ageing vehicle fleet—91% of Greek vehicles are older, gasoline-powered models—and the need for more frequent maintenance of monitoring equipment. Stakeholders also noted a rise in noise pollution, now the country’s second most significant environmental pollutant.
The discussion emphasised smart-city strategies, improved public communication on PHEV emissions, and integration of environmental data into health forecasting. Past initiatives, such as green taxis and public charging infrastructure, were reviewed to extract lessons learned.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to strengthen data integration, support modelling activities in upcoming work packages, and prepare targeted inputs for the ENSF.
Hungary: Exploring Low-Emission Zones and Road Tolling
Hungary held its second NSG meeting on 14 November 2026, convening in-person at the KTI headquarters in Budapest. The meeting brought together representatives from the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Construction and Transportation, MOL Plc., HungaroMet (Hungarian Meteorological Service), REKK (energy and environmental economics research centre), and the Clean Air Action Group.
The first part of the meeting focused on updating participants on PATH2ZERO’s progress. Subsequent discussions allowed partners to share national developments, with the limited time dedicated to a deep dive on low-emission zones, while road-use tolling was deferred for future discussion.
Participants expressed strong support for introducing low-emission zones in Hungary, recognising their potential to improve air quality. However, social equity concerns were highlighted, including the need for financial support for vehicle upgrades and broader access to car-sharing schemes. Participants also expressed interest in exploring electric road systems as a decarbonisation strategy.
Although time constraints limited discussion of all planned topics, the meeting successfully engaged stakeholders and generated practical insights.
Looking ahead, Hungary plans to revisit road-use tolling in future NSG meetings and maintain ongoing communication with participants.
What’s Next?
As more NSG meetings across partner countries are held, PATH2ZERO will continue to share updates on the insights generated. The next phase will bring national groups together within the ENSF, fostering shared learning across borders.
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