Sustainable Procurement News

The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) has released a dedicated Sustainability Guide to support the rail industry move faster towards a net zero future.

The guide, launched on 13 November at ARA’s major conference AusRAIL PLUS 2023 in Sydney, offers practical solutions for small- to medium-sized businesses in the rail industry.

ARA CEO Caroline Wilkie said rail will play a crucial role in Australia and New Zealand’s sustainable development and growth and is key to achieving net zero targets. 

“Continued investment in sustainable transport systems is critical to achieving net zero targets and will drive the economy and benefit the wider community,” said Caroline.

“In order to achieve this, sustainability must be embedded across all aspects of the rail supply chain.

“With about a third of rail industry businesses consisting of 20 people or less, it is essential that small and medium businesses play an active role in driving sustainable outcomes to support the industry’s success.”

New research from WPI Economics, commissioned by Rail Delivery Group, reveals the rail industry generated £26 billion in economic, environmental and social benefits to UK over the past year, with rail customers contributing £98 billion through spending within local communities. 

With the rail network facilitating over three million journeys each day, its impact on the UK economy is significant, playing a key role in the productivity of our cities and towns. The industry also directly employs over 100,000 people across varying roles – from station staff and train drivers to underwater divers and seasons delivery managers.  

The California High-Speed Rail Authority has published its 2024 Sustainability Report, outlining progress on building the state’s first 220-mph electrified high-speed rail system, which will be powered by 100% renewable energy.

The report reflects the project’s environmental, social, and economic priorities, contributing to California’s carbon neutrality goals.

At InnoTrans 2024, TÜV SÜD Rail will present itself as a competent and experienced provider of testing, inspection and certification (TIC) services for the rail industry.

The company’s experts support manufacturers and operators to ensure safe and sustainable rail transport. At the trade fair, TÜV SÜD will present its simulator for wheel-slide protection (WSP) tests. (Hall A/Stand 645 and Hall 7.2C/Stand 236).

Dr Martin Webhofer, CEO of TÜV SÜD Rail GmbH, said:
We support manufacturers and opetrators to implement modernisation and digitalisation effectively, efficiently and safely.

This partnership intends to revolutionise the rail industry through developing cutting-edge, high-performance and ecologically sustainable products on a worldwide scale.

As the sun rises over the lush landscapes of New Zealand's North Island, a groundbreaking partnership between Stadler and KiwiRail takes a bold step forward, setting new standards in the rail industry's journey towards sustainability. This collaboration, which recently expanded through a significant rolling stock agreement, not only underscores the commitment of both entities to decarbonize rail transport but also marks a pivotal moment for the future of eco-conscious rail operations on a global scale.

Travel by train remains overall the most environmentally friendly mode of motorised passenger transport in Europe in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, but efforts must still be made to reach the European Union (EU) 2050 sustainability targets, namely net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and climate neutrality in the next 26 years. As stated by CEO and founder of Evias Rail, Dr. Matthias Landgraf, “We must not stop optimising rail. This is especially important when you think about the so-called ‘scope 3’ greenhouse gas emissions,” – those that arise in the value chain but outside a company’s operations.

Setting flexibility aside, rail transportation is one of the most sustainable forms, leading the way in mass transit whatever the region. Boston Consulting Group (BCG) cites it’s responsible for 9% of motorised passenger mobility globally and is also used for 7% of freight shipments worldwide. 

A comprehensive ESG strategy could help railway companies to advance their sustainability agendas—and address more than decarbonization.

As part of a new sustainability push, Network Rail has strengthened ties with The Green Block to boost recycling and divert waste away from landfill sites in commemoration of National Recycling Week.
The partnership between the two organisations first began in 2020 with the trial of the Mobile Segregation Unit which manually separates site waste into its recyclable commodities – all while capturing digital data.

Based at London Victoria, the MSU has allowed Network Rail to recycle more than 7,000 tonnes of waste since its introduction – rail chiefs hope the innovation can reduce carbon footprint at the station by 121 tonnes.

One of them is Condition-Based Maintenance (CBM). This proactive maintenance approach enhances the reliability and efficiency of trains and contributes significantly to environmental and sustainability goals.

Historically, train operators have relied on scheduled or reactive maintenance practices, often leading to inefficiencies and unnecessary resource consumption. Routine maintenance schedules, while necessary, can result in overhauls or replacements that might be premature if based solely on time-based criteria.

This traditional approach not only adds to operational costs but also has significant repercussions, considering the energy-intensive nature of maintenance procedures and the disposal of components.

The European Union aims to make the transport sector and supply chain more eco-friendly, typically focusing on vehicle emissions and infrastructure upgrades. Yet, a crucial aspect often overlooked is digital pollution.

At the RailFreight Summit ’24, Willem Jan Groenewoud, CEO of Ab Ovo, shed light on this issue and proposed solutions.

Hitachi Rail launches annual Environmental, Social and Governance report at InnoTrans, highlighting performances for fiscal year 23

Business has achieved remarkable 14% reduction in scope emissions compared to a target of 5% yoy

FY23 also saw Hitachi Rail awarded two first-of-their-kind sustainable product certifications, as it progresses towards a circular business model

Train is the only sustainable, comfortable and easy way to travel in Europe.

By making it easier to book train tickets, Rail Europe encourages mobility by train and meets the expectations of today's travellers, who are increasingly aware of the impact of their journeys.

The FIF and SNCF led the publication of the paper which set out a range of plans, including the creation of a steering committee to guide businesses in their sustainability goals.

Imagine a future where every dollar invested in infrastructure not only generates economic value but also contributes directly to the health of our planet. Vossloh AG, a titan in the rail industry, is making this vision a reality. On February 22, 2024, the company announced a groundbreaking syndicated loan agreement that not only secures its financial future but also ties its fate to the company's environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. This bold move could redefine how corporations approach financing, making sustainability a cornerstone of economic success.