UK: The Rail Safety & Standards Board has launched a Rail Carbon Accounting Framework which is designed to standardise carbon measurement and reporting as a step towards enabling the sector to meet its net-zero commitments by 2050.
Developed in collaboration with the industry, government and the Science Based Targets Initiative, RCAF is designed to provide a straightforward and consistent approach to calculating greenhouse gas emissions across the sector, individual organisations and journeys.
RCAF offers:
- standardised methodology: aligned with standards such as ISO 14064, the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and SBTi to ensure consistency and credibility;
- sector-wide coverage: tailored guidance for passenger and freight operators, leasing companies and infrastructure managers;
- GHG target and reduction guidance: practical guidance and resources on setting GHG targets and calculating reductions;
- defined data flow: establishes GHG data responsibilities across the industry to support a sector-wide carbon data management system within RSSBs Sustainable Insights Platform.
RSSB said carbon reporting across the rail sector has been inconsistent and inefficient, and without a unified framework it was not possible to consistently benchmark performance and calculate the sector’s total emissions.
‘RCAF is a powerful framework designed to help the rail industry align its carbon reporting’, said Graham Mollison, project sponsor and Head of Sustainability for Southeastern, on October 6. ‘Before this was published it was tricky for each company to know exactly what carbon data they should account for in their impact reporting. RCAF provides us with clarity and certainty as we all develop our carbon accounting methodologies.’
RSSB’s Carbon Lead Noah Myers said ‘the rail industry faces an enormous challenge in affordably reducing emissions across its numerous activities and entities. The RCAF replaces fragmented calculation methodologies with a unified approach that supports both strategic planning and operational decision-making. This will save time and money, improve data quality and enable smarter investment in sustainability.’
