NETWORK Rail, under its Scotland’s Railway partnership, has published its climate action plan for 2024-2029.
The blueprint will see more than £400 million contributed towards the resilience of the rail network against extreme weather and future changes in climate. This includes more than £100 million on earthworks, £100 million on lineside infrastructure, and more than £40 million on structures such as bridges and tunnels.
The wider plan sets out five priority areas of climate ready, net zero, environmental management, biodiversity, and social value. Air quality will continued to improve at stations, tunnels, maintenance, depots, and worksites whilst also reducing waste and its associated carbon through reusing and recycling more materials.
Emissions will also be tackled from the road fleet, heating of buildings, and energy purchases, with Scotland’s Railway targeting a 65% reduction by 2029. Biodiversity will be increased through enhancing existing habitats while creating new ones. This allows the potential of the railway estate to be maximised, allowing nature and the railway to exist in harmony, Scotland’s Railway said.
Furthermore, 500 hectares of land both within and outwith the railway boundary will be enhanced through strategic partnerships, with a target to increase biodiversity on railway land by 4%.
Liam Sumpter, MD of Network Rail Scotland, said, “We’re feeling the impact and the need to adapt to climate change more than ever on Scotland’s Railway. 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.”
Joanne Maguire, ScotRail MD, added, “Our vision is to deliver a safe, sustainable, inclusive, and accessible railway for Scotland.
“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.”
