Page 84 - European Energy Innovation - Summer 2015 publication
P. 84
Summer 2015 European Energy Innovation
RAIL TRANSPORT
The case for rail transport –
the backbone of energy efficient,
low carbon transport systems
By Nicholas Craven (Manager of Unit –Sustainable Development) and Gabriel Castañares Hernàndez, (Senior
Advisor of Energy and CO2), International Union of Railways (UIC)
“Energy Efficiency is the development are key solutions to At world level, total transport
foundation of the rail global challenges such as climate GHG emissions have increased
sector’s environmental change, increasing energy prices by 53% between 1990 and 2011
leadership. This and energy security. whilst the share of rail emissions
advantage is recognised across decreased from 4.3% to 3.3%.
the world. The world needs The transport sector has an Since 1975 rail passenger
resource efficient transport to important role to play in facing activity has grown by 130% and
enable sustainable development.” these challenges. Transport is a rail freight by 76%, during the
Jean Pierre Loubinoux, Director major consumer of energy and same period an improvement
General of the International Union therefore, responsible for high in rail energy efficiency has
of Railways (UIC). carbon emissions. Transport been achieved, specific energy
generates around 25% of the consumption has decreased
If energy consumption is not total Green House Gas (GHG) by around 50% from 1975 to
measured then it cannot be emission averaged across 2011 for both for passenger and
managed nor reduced. This is the the European Union, varying freight. These figures indicate
principle that explains why our between 20% to 35% of the total a decoupling between energy
global economy needs to quantify energy consumption and GHG consumption and transport
and report energy consumption. emissions depending on the activity, with the volumes on
Energy efficiency and low carbon region. rail constantly growing and the
energy consumption remaining
basically stable.
Rail is the most emissions efficient
major mode of transport with the
lowest environmental impact. Rail
transports over 9% of world wide
passenger and freight transport,
but generates just 3% of transport
carbon emissions. This strong
performance is expected to
improve over the coming years
with increasing energy efficiency
and greater use of renewable
energy.
UIC/IEA Data Handbook on Railway Energy and CO2 (2014) The European rail sector is a
major consumer of renewable
electricity. The use of renewables
doubled between 2005 and
2010, and currently provide
28% of all electric rail traction.
There are entire rail networks
in Scandinavia, Switzerland or
Austria where the electricity used
is almost entirely carbon free.
www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu
RAIL TRANSPORT
The case for rail transport –
the backbone of energy efficient,
low carbon transport systems
By Nicholas Craven (Manager of Unit –Sustainable Development) and Gabriel Castañares Hernàndez, (Senior
Advisor of Energy and CO2), International Union of Railways (UIC)
“Energy Efficiency is the development are key solutions to At world level, total transport
foundation of the rail global challenges such as climate GHG emissions have increased
sector’s environmental change, increasing energy prices by 53% between 1990 and 2011
leadership. This and energy security. whilst the share of rail emissions
advantage is recognised across decreased from 4.3% to 3.3%.
the world. The world needs The transport sector has an Since 1975 rail passenger
resource efficient transport to important role to play in facing activity has grown by 130% and
enable sustainable development.” these challenges. Transport is a rail freight by 76%, during the
Jean Pierre Loubinoux, Director major consumer of energy and same period an improvement
General of the International Union therefore, responsible for high in rail energy efficiency has
of Railways (UIC). carbon emissions. Transport been achieved, specific energy
generates around 25% of the consumption has decreased
If energy consumption is not total Green House Gas (GHG) by around 50% from 1975 to
measured then it cannot be emission averaged across 2011 for both for passenger and
managed nor reduced. This is the the European Union, varying freight. These figures indicate
principle that explains why our between 20% to 35% of the total a decoupling between energy
global economy needs to quantify energy consumption and GHG consumption and transport
and report energy consumption. emissions depending on the activity, with the volumes on
Energy efficiency and low carbon region. rail constantly growing and the
energy consumption remaining
basically stable.
Rail is the most emissions efficient
major mode of transport with the
lowest environmental impact. Rail
transports over 9% of world wide
passenger and freight transport,
but generates just 3% of transport
carbon emissions. This strong
performance is expected to
improve over the coming years
with increasing energy efficiency
and greater use of renewable
energy.
UIC/IEA Data Handbook on Railway Energy and CO2 (2014) The European rail sector is a
major consumer of renewable
electricity. The use of renewables
doubled between 2005 and
2010, and currently provide
28% of all electric rail traction.
There are entire rail networks
in Scandinavia, Switzerland or
Austria where the electricity used
is almost entirely carbon free.
www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu
