About
International Union of Railways (UIC) is the worldwide international organisation of the railway sector bringing together 199 members across all five continents. UIC’s mission is to promote rail transport at the world level and meet the challenges of mobility and sustainable development.
Strategy
Climate change and CO2 emissions
With seven to ten per cent of market share, rail still contributes less than two per cent of the EU transport sector’s CO2 emissions, while travelling by rail is on average three to ten times less CO2 intensive compared to road or air transport. The European rail sector has committed itself to cut the specific emissions of rail transport (tonne CO2 per passenger kilometer) by 30 per cent over the period 1990 to 2020, while in some countries rail operators are already reaching carbon neutrality by using entirely renewable energy sources to power trains.
Global warming and greenhouse gases (GHG)
In its latest assessment report (AR4) in November 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) said that warming of the climate system “is unequivocal”. Global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions due to human activities have grown since pre-industrial times, with an increase of 70 per cent between 1970 and 2004 alone. This development has led to clear changes in temperatures and average sea level compared to the standard period used (1961 to 1990).
Climate change and CO2 emissions
In March 2007, the European heads of state agreed to set precise, legally binding targets in a move to reduce Europe-wide emissions by 20 per cent over the 1990 to 2020 period and keep overall warming below the widely accepted two degrees “threshold”. The European Commission put forward legislation on achieving this in January 2008.
EU transport sector today
Transport causes around one quarter of all EU CO2 emissions. Between 1990 and 2005, EU-15 GHG emissions from domestic transport (journeys inside EU only) increased by 26 per cent. More than 90 per cent of total domestic transport emissions are due to road transport. Rail only accounts for 0.6 per cent for diesel emissions and for less than two per cent including emissions for electricity production.
Climate change and CO2 emissions - Rail CO2 performance
From 1990 to 2005 the European railways cut their CO2 emissions by 21 per cent in absolute terms. For specific emissions (i.e. emissions per passenger-km or tonne-km) during the same period, the railways reduced their CO2 emissions per passenger-km by 14 per cent, and per tonne-km by 28 per cent. In May 2008, the members of CER agreed to a target of an average sector-wide cut of 30 per cent in specific emissions over the 1990-2020 period.
Passenger transport CO2 comparison
For passenger transport, going by rail is on average four times more efficient than taking the car and more than three times better than taking the plane.
Energy efficiency
Rail is on average two to five times more energy efficient than road, shipping and aviation. Through approaches including eco-driving, use of new rolling stock, and operational measures, railways continue to improve.
EU transport sector today
Since 1970, transport activity has more than doubled in the European Union: +185 per cent for the transport of goods and +145 per cent for the transport of people. In the EU, the final energy consumption of the transport sector equals to 31 per cent of the total European wide consumption. Railways’ share of transport energy consumption is less than 3 per cent, while its market share is between 6 per cent (passenger) and 10 per cent (freight).
Railway energy efficiency projects
The railways continuously seek to improve their performance. The European rail sector is collaborating on a number of projects, with measures being taken within the technical, operational, commercial and procurement areas.