Is rail a green mode of transport? | PolishTrains

At a glance

• Rail emits around 35 g CO₂ per passenger per kilometre, far below road and air transport
• In the EU, rail accounts for just 0.3% of total transport sector emissions (EEA, 2022)
• Road transport emits 80% more greenhouse gases per kilometre than trains
• Poland has electrified 64.7% of its rail network — 12,236 km out of 18,915 km total (PKP PLK, 2024)
• Electric rolling stock makes up 84.3% of all Polish rail vehicles
• The Green Rail programme targets an 85% renewable energy share in rail traction

Rail transport plays a key role in the global environmental transition, offering significant environmental benefits over other forms of travel. It is recognised as one of the most sustainable and environmentally friendly modes of transport, mainly due to its energy efficiency and low greenhouse gas emissions per passenger or tonne of freight. This is particularly evident when compared to road transport, where greenhouse gas emissions per kilometre are 80% higher than for trains.

Railways boast a much smaller environmental impact than you might think. For example, in some countries, trains account for less than 3% of the total greenhouse gas emissions generated by transport. What's more, railways are able to carry far more people or goods than roads, helping to reduce congestion and emissions caused by congested motorways.

There is a perception that upgrading and expanding rail infrastructure is extremely costly and environmentally damaging due to the need to use heavy equipment and the emissions associated with construction. However, when the long-term benefits, such as reduced overall emissions and improved transport efficiency, are taken into account, these investments start to seem more justifiable. In addition, rail upgrades often involve a switch to greener energy sources, such as electricity from renewable sources, further reducing the carbon footprint.

When comparing rail with other forms of transport, it is clear that trains emit significantly less CO2. This form of transport has the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, although there are constraints associated with the current rail network and the requirements for freight delivery destinations. Trains, are one of the most efficient modes of transport in terms of CO2 emissions. Especially those powered by electricity from renewable sources. They can emit 20-35% less CO2 than internal combustion vehicles, making them an attractive alternative to road and air transport.

Comparing the carbon footprint of different transport options using data from the UK government, short-haul flights and driving alone are the most CO2-intensive transport methods. For example, a domestic flight generates 255g of CO2 per passenger per kilometre, while the average petrol car generates 192g of CO2 per passenger per kilometre. Trains, on the other hand , have a much lower carbon footprint - only 41g CO2 per passenger per kilometre. For modern long-distance trains this can be several times less.

Green rail transport plays a key role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In the future, electric trains powered by renewable energy could offer CO2-free journeys. Of course, this is an idealised scenario, but in the long term railways will aim to neutralise their carbon footprint.

Emissions from train traffic in Europe are expected to decrease by 50% by 2030, thanks to the switch to electric power and improvements in energy efficiency. In Poland, we have been witnessing such a transition for some time now. More and more energy-efficient trains are appearing. Diesel locomotives, on the other hand, are seen very rarely - usually on short sections where there is no electric traction built or as part of a substitute, technical vehicle. Thus, rail contributes to reducing direct emissions from transport.

Key elements in the development of modern railways are technological innovation and the switch to renewable energy. The introduction of electric trains powered by wind, hydro or solar power can effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions to zero. Advanced technologies are also planned to improve the energy efficiency of trains. These include, for example, better energy management systems and more aerodynamic train designs.

The development of railways in Poland is a key element of the sustainable transport strategy. It aims not only to reduce the environmental impact of transport, but also to improve the efficiency and accessibility of transport for citizens. These improvements can reduce both direct and indirect emissions, including those resulting from the construction and maintenance of railway infrastructure.

Investment in railway development includes the electrification of railway lines, the construction and renovation of stations and tracks, which not only increases the capacity and reliability of the network, but also enables more efficient use of energy. Modern, energy-efficient trains are also being brought into service to carry more passengers or goods. This reduces dependence on road and air transport.

Polskie Koleje Państwowe (Polish State Railways) is implementing an ambitious modernisation plan that includes the purchase of modern electric trains, the modernisation of existing rolling stock and the expansion and renovation of key sections of the railway network. The plan also includes the development of traffic management and computerisation systems to make rail travel more efficient and safer.

Significant investments made in recent years include the modernisation of railway lines on major routes such as Warsaw-Cracow and Warsaw-Gdańsk, which now enable faster inter-city connections. The Polish railways plan to continue the expansion of the railway network, including projects such as the Central Transport Port, which is expected to combine rail, air and road transport in a single transport hub.

Further modernisation projects are planned for the coming years, including the electrification of further sections, the construction of new high-speed lines, and the introduction of modern technological solutions to improve the efficiency of railway infrastructure operation and management. These investments and modernisation plans are a step towards the creation of a sustainable and modern rail transport system in Poland, which will be able to meet environmental challenges and the needs of a growing number of passengers.

Rail transport stands out as one of the greenest modes of transport, offering promising potential towards achieving climate neutrality and energy efficiency. Through significant investment in the modernisation and development of rail infrastructure, including the transition to electric trains powered by renewable energy, rail has the potential to lead the way in the green transformation of transport. Therefore, if you choose rail as a form of green travel, we encourage you to book your train ticket through polishtrains.eu.