Eurostar has announced a goal of achieving 100% renewable operation across its high-speed rail network by the end of 2030.
The company hopes to achieve its goal by focusing on a core set of three key strategies.
Firstly, Eurostar will aim to reduce its current impact by sourcing a wider range of renewable energies for its heavy traction needs, as well as reducing its energy requirements overall. The company recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Belgian railway network coordinator Infrabel to investigate the installation of a new set of solar solutions to power trains along its services.
The company will also seek to integrate circularity throughout the value chain, minimising waste and using resources in a more sustainable fashion. Thus far, the company has committed to completely sustainable sourcing for all of its on-board catering equipment, which has subsequently seen Eurostar receive a three-star rating from the Food Made Good Awards.
Finally, significant efforts are to be made in attracting prospective passengers to Eurostar’s low-carbon service through the development of “open hubs”, which allow the company to connect its services to both domestic networks or long-haul flights.
“This is a deliberately ambitious target, Eurostar wants to use its brand and commitment to accelerate change across the sector.
“To achieve our goal, we work closely together with our partners in each of our markets, we encourage regulatory support for the rapid deployment of new renewable energy projects.”
In order to achieve its ambitions, Eurostar also plans to work collaboratively with a range of partners and regulators, with the company recently joining the RE100 alliance, a group of companies committed to sourcing 100% of their used energy from renewable sources.
“We’re delighted to welcome Eurostar to RE100, the first rail firm to join. Eurostar is setting a global example and leading the way on renewables powering our rail networks. Eurostar now has the opportunity to draw on a global network of over 400 companies as it works towards 30 million journeys a year powered by 100% renewable electricity by 2030. We encourage other businesses in the rail sector to follow Eurostar’s lead and commit to 100% renewable electricity.”
As of 2017, Eurostar trains within the Netherlands have been running on 100% wind power, with the United Kingdom reaching a level of roughly 40% in the intervening years.
