Network Rail sets science-based global warming targets

Network Rail says it is the first railway company in the world to set the “most ambitious” sciencebased targets to limit global warming.

Its targets were independently verified on October 29, meaning the company will commit to cutting emissions that will limit warming to 1.5°C.

It follows the recent publication of NR’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy and commits it to reducing greenhouse gas emissions within its control by 46% by 2029. It also commits that 75% of its suppliers (by emissions covering purchased goods and services and capital goods) will have science-based targets by 2025, and to reducing indirect emissions by 28% by 2029.

NR says it is not asking for more money to fund its environmental activities, and that sustainability improvements can enable efficiencies and financial savings to be made.

Chief executive Andrew Haines said: “Rail is already the cleanest and greenest mode of transporting large numbers of people and goods, but we’re committed to cutting our carbon footprint even further.

“That’s why we’ve set carbon reduction targets backed by science, rather than simply ones we think are easy to achieve. We are the first railway in the world to set targets that will help limit global warming to 1.5° and this shows our commitment to change.”

“We’re on an important journey - to support the Government’s target of being net-zero by 2050, to help the country build back better as we recover from the pandemic, and to help passengers and freight users make the greenest choices they can.”

Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps said: “Rail is one of the greenest forms of transport going and these ambitious targets will keep the UK as a world leader in low-carbon travel. The objective is clear - every step of every journey, from entering the station to travelling by train, will be more environmentally friendly.

Cynthia Cummis, director of private sector climate mitigation at World Resources Institutes and one of the Science Based Targets initiative partners, concluded: “By taking ambitious climate action, Network Rail is playing its part in supporting the UK Government’s target to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.”