- Almost 3 megatonnes of CO2e emissions from trains in 2019-20
- Air pollution hotspots at enclosed stations due to diesel train emissions
- Significant amount of waste generated each year by the rail network
- Litter and fly-tipping on the network
- Graffiti on the rail estate
- Railway noise nuisance to lineside neighbours, passengers, and staff
Department for Transport
Greenhouse gas emissions & sustainability report data
In its July 2021 reporting, Department for Transport disclosed greenhouse gas emissions of Almost 3 megatonnes of CO2e (2019-20). Figures are as stated in the company's own report and may use different boundaries, units or methods (for example market-based vs location-based Scope 2), so compare with care.
GHG Emissions
Almost 3 megatonnes of CO2e (2019-20)
July 2021
Water Usage
Approximately 2,200 million litres (2019, Network Rail only)
July 2021
📈 Emissions by Report Period
| Report period | Headline emissions figure reported |
|---|---|
| July 2021 | Almost 3 megatonnes of CO2e (2019-20) |
| 2022-2023 | 49.5K tCO2e (2022) |
Each row is the headline figure extracted from a different report; scope coverage and methodology can change between years.
✅ Reported Environmental Achievements
- Completed almost 700 track miles of rail electrification in England and Wales (2017-2020)
- Contributed over £9 million to 26 FoaK projects to decarbonise the railway or reduce harmful emissions (since 2019)
- Network Rail achieved world's first railway company to sign up to the most ambitious targets in the United Nations’ Science Based Targets initiative
- Network Rail published an Environmental Sustainability Strategy and a Biodiversity Action Plan
🎯 Climate & Sustainability Targets
🔜 Short-term
- Establish a biodiversity baseline and publish a Habitat Baseline Management Plan by the end of 2021
- Set targets for PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 for public access areas of the network by 2022, aiming to meet them by 2030
- Zero waste from railway activities and passengers to landfill by 2025
📅 Medium-term
- Net zero biodiversity by 2024; biodiversity net gain across the network by 2035
- Feed-in 100% of non-traction electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030 (Network Rail)
🔭 Long-term
- Net zero greenhouse gas emissions from trains by 2050
- Remove all diesel-only trains from the network by 2040
🌱 ESG Focus Areas
Climate ChangeAir QualityWaste ManagementBiodiversityNoise PollutionWater ManagementSocial ValueModal Shift