Network Rail and ScotRail have joined forces to set out a new five-year Climate Action Plan, which is targeting a 65% reduction in carbon emissions by 2029.
The plan incorporates previously published climate adaptation objectives, which will see over £400m contributed towards the network’s extreme weather resilience. Of the £400m, more than £100m will be spent on earthworks while another £100m will be ringfenced for lineside infrastructure as well as around £40m on things like bridges and tunnels.
Scotland’s railway has the same carbon cutting target as the Scottish Government—net zero emissions by 2045. This is included in the plan’s five key action areas, which are:
- Climate ready
- Net zero
- Environmental management
- Biodiversity
- Social value
“Our vision is to deliver a safe, sustainable, inclusive, and accessible railway for Scotland,” said ScotRail’s managing director, Joanne Maguire. “Taking climate action is one of our priorities and we’re making great progress through the decarbonisation of the network, identifying ways to eliminate fossil fuel use, increasing energy efficiency, and deploying renewable energy sources in our buildings."
Network Rail says that 500 hectares of land both inside and outside the rail boundary will be enhanced through strategic partnerships. This will come with a target to increase biodiversity on railway land by 4%, which will be achieved by boosting existing habitats and creating new ones. Scotland’s railway also wants its people to increase the amount of voluntary leave they use to engage with communities and charity partners.
There are also plans to improve air quality at stations, tunnels, maintenance depots, and worksites, while also increasing recycling. The route sections that will be particularly susceptible to changes in Scotland’s climate will benefit from climate adaptation plans.
“We’re feeling the impact and the need to adapt to climate change more than ever on Scotland’s Railway,” commented Liam Sumpter, managing director at Network Rail Scotland. “Extreme weather is impacting passengers, freight customers and communities more frequently than ever. We’ve developed this plan for the next five years, aiming to serve Scotland – now and in the future – with a greener, more resilient and responsible railway.
“Everyone in Scotland’s Railway and beyond needs to take action and together I’m confident we can make a difference, while making this the greenest railway Scotland’s ever had.”
Image credits: iStock & Network Rail
