Canada’s railways are on track to meeting their greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets, according to the latest Locomotive Emissions Monitoring (LEM) Program report released yesterday by the Railway Association of Canada (RAC). The report documents emissions of GHGs and criteria air contaminants (CAC) from locomotives operating in Canada between 2013 and 2014.
RAC President and CEO Michael Bourque, said:
“This report illustrates that, on an intensity basis, GHG emissions have declined as traffic has grown”
“By continuing their efforts to improve fuel consumption and thus reduce emissions in the rail sector, RAC members are demonstrating that Canada’s railways are part of the climate change solution.”
According to the LEM Report, in 2014, GHG emissions intensity from freight operations – including Class 1, shortline and regional railways – in Canada fell by 3.6 per cent below 2013 levels. Intercity passenger rail GHG emissions intensity increased by 0.3 per cent in 2014 from 2013. The CAC emissions from all railway operations decreased year over year.
Despite moving 75 million passengers and close to 70 per cent of all intercity surface goods in Canada each year, railways produce less than 4 per cent of our country’s transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions – making rail one of Canada’s greenest transportation options.
This is the fourth report released under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between RAC and Transport Canada, which encourages RAC’s Class 1 freight, shortline and intercity passenger railway members to voluntarily cut their emissions intensity.
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