Environmentally friendly transport: Why travel by train?

Respect for the environment is one of the determining factors in many of our decisions. When we decide on the food in our shopping basket or the clothes we buy, we consider price, design, quality and environmental impact. Similarly, when we decide to travel, our choice of transport reflects our concern for our carbon footprint on the planet. In this article we tell you how much a train pollutes and why it is an environmentally friendly mode of transport.

How much does a train pollute?

Answering the question of how much a train pollutes is easy. Choosing to travel by train means opting for ecological and sustainable transport. We explain why.

The European Environment Agency (EEA) measures the environmental impact of means of transport according to the CO2 emissions released per passenger and kilometre travelled. In other words, the more passengers, the greater the reduction in emissions per passenger.

In its 2020 Annual Transport and Environment Report (TERM), the EEA assessed the impact of rail and air travel on greenhouse gas emissions. The conclusion was that the train is the most environmentally friendly mode of transport and is set to play a key role in reducing the carbon footprint. Let us not forget that this is the objective of the European Green Pact, which has set a target of reducing pollutant emissions by 90 % by 2050 compared to 1990.

According to data from the Spanish Railway Association, the train is responsible for only 0.7% of total CO2 emissions, making it the least polluting means of transport. This makes it the most environmentally friendly mode of transport.

Why is it more environmentally friendly to travel by train than by car?

The EEA provides the following figure: "road vehicles account for more than 70% of greenhouse gas emissions in the EU, compared to almost 1% for trains".

It is clear that the train is an environmentally friendly means of transport that contributes to achieving the commitment made in the Paris Agreement (2015), that laid the foundations to establish a plan to reduce emissions that cause global warming (CO2).

The difference is remarkable and supports the use of the train as an environmentally friendly means of transport. Another added bonus for the train is the advantage of not using tyres, which are made from petroleum derivatives.

Why is it more environmentally friendly to travel by train than by plane?

Air travel is the mode of transport that causes the highest amount of CO2 emissions. ESA data, obtained from average numbers, put the amount of emissions per passenger kilometre at 285 g of CO2.

The calculation made by the ICAI study, based on the same real distances as for other modes of transport, establishes emissions of 61 to 71 kg of CO2 per passenger.

The train is the cleanest and therefore the most environmentally friendly mode of transport. Air travel, on the other hand, is the most polluting. This is why public authorities are beginning to consider regulating short-haul flights.

Reasons to travel by train

Travelling by train offers many other advantages, in addition to the fact that it is the most environmentally friendly form of transport. These are detailed below:

• You save time. When you travel by plane, you must be at the airport between 90 and 120 minutes before boarding. When travelling by train, you only have to be at the airport 30 minutes before departure.
• You travel more comfortably. On the train, you have more space than on planes or buses. It is also much more comfortable than travelling by car, as you are free from the stress of driving.
• Train stations are generally located in the most central parts of cities, with accessibility to the metro and bus network.

Travel by train with OUIGO and join the greenest mobility at very, very low prices!