The railway contributes to 1% of Wales’ transport carbon emissions, the majority of which comes from diesel-powered trains throughout the Wales and Borders network. Although, throughout the 2019-20 financial year, Transport for Wales (TfW) reduced its emission by 6.27%.
This was caused by a reduction in train fuel as newer refurbished trains were added to TfW’s rolling stock and through the reduction in energy used for buildings as smart metering was rolled out across Wales and Borders stations and depots.
TfW also introduced seven electric vans to their fleet of road vehicles that attend to works across the Core Valley Lines as part of South Wales Metro.
The vans have received positive responses for their quietness and performance on local roads around the local area. Whilst significantly reducing the emissions, the vans also reduce fuel costs by over half compared to an equivalent diesel-powered van.
Furthermore, since the end of the 2019-20 financial year, TfW has continued to take further steps to reduce emissions with a number of schemes, including trialling solar powered lighting while building the new maintenance depot and control centre at Taff’s Well, and planting 37,000 trees at a site near Llanwern.
TfW’s plans for the future include more commitments to reduce its carbon emissions further by replacing its current fleet of trains with new more efficient rolling stock, including electric trains and tram-trains on Metro lines and more competent diesel trains on long-distance services. Stations and overhead wires will be powered by 100% renewable energy, with at least 50% sourced in Wales.
TfW is also working collaboratively with the Welsh Government to develop an electric vehicle charging strategy, which will deliver significant investment in electric vehicle infrastructure, and is also working on plans to ensure buses and taxis are powered by electric sources or hydrogen by 2028. This is all part of a wider strategy aimed at achieving a net-zero carbon target of 2030.
James Price, Transport for Wales CEO, said: “Sustainability is at the core of everything we do at TfW and we are fully committed to improving the social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of Wales, in line with the Well-being of Future Generations Act.
“The progress we have made in reducing our carbon footprint provides an excellent platform for us to build upon in years to come as we continue to develop a truly sustainable public transport network in Wales that works for both people and the planet.”
Natalie Rees, TfW Sustainable Development Manager, said: “The steps we are taking to reduce our carbon footprint also help us to reduce emissions. Air pollution in Wales affects people’s health and it affects biodiversity. We’re looking at innovative ways to reduce pollution from our operation including trialling solar lighting on construction sites and working with cross sector organisations through our membership of the Clean Air Programme Board and the Clean Air Advisory Panel.”
Image: Transport for Wales
