EUROPE: Management consultancy Ernst & Young has presented a study on behalf of the Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking setting out the potential contribution of rail freight to the development of net-zero logistics chains across the continent.
The study has indicated that greater integration of rail freight delivers significant reductions in CO₂ emissions and externalities such as congestion and accidents, while also generating long-term energy savings and socio-economic returns.
The study examines three scenarios of ambition (low, moderate and high) and assesses their impacts on CO₂ emissions, energy efficiency and wider socioeconomic benefits, using a model endorsed by independent academics.
The results, based on five major freight corridors representing 65% of EU rail freight volumes, have been extrapolated to the EU level for the period 2025-60.
The high ambition scenario includes essential measures that can foster European competitiveness driven by investments in rail freight innovations and multimodal hubs, international rule harmonisation, capacity and traffic management, and digital automatic coupling.
In addition, Ernst & Young found that these benefits remain significant even when compared to a very ambitious baseline scenario in which other modes such as road and inland waterways are fully decarbonised over the study period. As a result, the authors believe that these assumptions are conservative and represent a lower estimate of what could be achieved through a coordinated shift across transport modes to net-zero logistics.
Among the key findings were that better integration of rail freight across logistic chains development cuts externalities like road congestion and accidents, saving €85bn in external costs and reducing carbon emissions-related costs by €44bn. Meanwhile, harnessing rail energy efficiency cuts consumption by €74bn.
‘To boost Europe’s competitiveness, investing in rail freight innovation is essential. This study confirms what we have long believed: rail freight is a key part of the solution to several important challenges’, said Magda Kopczyńska, Director-General for Mobility & Transport. ‘It will also play a vital role in helping us achieve our ambitious policy goals — from creating a more competitive and sustainable transport system, to strengthening resilience against future disruptions.’
Commenting on the findings, Giorgio Travaini, Executive Director of the Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking, said ‘the results confirm that investing in rail freight is not only a key lever for decarbonisation but also an opportunity to improve logistics efficiency and competitiveness across Europe. The study offers a solid evidence base for policy decisions in the context of the Clean Industrial Deal and the Sustainable & Smart Mobility Strategy.’
