The world’s climate is changing at an alarming rate, largely due to emissions from fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas. Right now, 95% of transport is powered by fossil fuels, and as the demand for travel continues to grow, with passenger miles expected to triple by 2070,  it's crucial we embrace more eco-friendly transport alternatives such as rail.

How railways help reduce pollution 

Different modes of transport produce varying levels of emissions. Road transport accounts for almost three-quarters of transport emissions, while aviation and shipping contribute more than 10% percent each. Railways, on the other hand, are responsible for just 1% of transport emissions. 

In a 2024 study by the Rail Delivery Group, 93.8% of rail journeys emit less carbon than petrol and diesel cars, domestic flights and even electric and hybrid cars.

Expanding rail travel

Encouraging people to switch from cars or planes to trains could significantly reduce emissions. For people to switch, the railway needs to become more extensive, reliable, accessible, fast and affordable. Several extensions to the rail network are already in progress, such as East West Rail connecting Oxford and Cambridge and the reopening of the Northumberland line, between Ashington and Newcastle in December 2024. HS2 will also provide a boost, enabling more passengers and freight to travel on existing lines.

However, there is more potential for expansion, especially after the Beeching Cuts in the 1960s, which closed over 2,000 stations and thousands of miles of track. The Campaign for Better Transport has a list of stations and lines they hope to see reopen.

Freight on rail

In the UK, over 80% of freight is transported by road, with only 7% moved by rail. However, according to the Rail Delivery Group, one freight train can remove up to 76 Heavy Goods Vehicles from the road. Moving freight by rail emits less than a quarter of the carbon that road transport does, which would not only help reduce pollution but also alleviate road congestion and improve safety.

How climate change is impacting the railway

The effects of climate change are already being felt by the railway industry. Warmer winters, wetter weather, and hotter, drier summers have made it necessary to protect rail infrastructure and services.

Hot weather

Longer periods of hot weather cause various problems for railways, such as expanding rails that can buckle and sagging overhead lines. When the ground underneath the track becomes too dry, it can pull the rails out of alignment.

Stormy weather

Heavy rainfall can damage the railway’s earthworks and overwhelm drainage systems, while strong winds can blow trees, leaves, and objects onto the track, or bring down overhead line equipment.

Coastal railways are especially vulnerable to storms. In 2014, waves caused severe damage to the Dawlish railway in Devon.

Flooding

When heavy rain overwhelms drainage systems, flooding can occur on the railway tracks. This slows train speeds, washes ballast away, and disrupts power supplies, sometimes causing signaling issues. In 2022, Network Rail completed major work on the West Coast Main Line to prevent flooding between Rugby and Milton Keynes, and in 2024, nearly 400 extra drainage engineers were recruited to help protect the network.

Landslips

Heavy rainfall can lead to landslips, where saturated soil and rock slide onto the track, causing delays and casualties. In 2020, three people died in a landslip accident in Carmont, Scotland, to which Network Rail admitted health and safety failings.

The railway industry is taking measures to prevent landslips, such as improving drainage, using anti-slip netting, and stabilising embankments, and planting vegetation to reinforce the ground.

How we can pursue more sustainable transportation

Rail is already one of the most eco-friendly forms of transport, but there is much that can be done to make it even greener.

1. Embracing electrification

Electric railways are cheaper to run, more reliable, and have greater capacity.

Avanti’s West Coast Main Line has been electric since the 1960s, with other lines such as the Transpennine Route and Midlands Main Line also undergoing electrification. However, to meet climate targets, the pace of electrification must accelerate, this requires substantial government investment.

2. Introducing energy-saving technologies

Several stations have introduced energy-saving initiatives such as motion-sensor lighting and improved insulation. Some trains now feature regenerative braking which recover and return energy to the grid. Avanti West Coast’s Pendolino trains have regenerative braking that returns up to 17% of energy to the grid.

3. Reducing waste

Rail companies are trying to reduce waste through recycling facilities, waste management programs. Avanti West Coast currently recycles 54.2% of waste, this is increasing through the work of Waste Segregation Officers. The end goal is to increase the recycling rate to 90% and send no waste to landfills. Some stations also offer water refilling points, and construction projects use recycled materials.

4. Protecting biodiversity in the railway environment

While railway infrastructure may disrupt wildlife habitats, efforts are being made to  protect biodiversity. Some stations have started to create gardens and habitats for bees and insects, and the railway industry is transforming disused land into wildlife-friendly spaces.

5. Encouraging cycling

The railway encourages cycling by providing bike storage at some stations. It also allows passengers to take bikes on some trains.

Avanti’s efforts for green transportation

Sustainability is one of the biggest advantages of travelling by train, and Avanti is working hard to make rail travel an even more eco-friendly mode of transport. Through initiatives like Our Responsible Plan, Avanti aims to operate with net zero emissions by 2031.

By focusing on electrification, energy-saving technologies, waste reduction, and sustainable practices, we can help make rail travel greener.