Canada’s rail industry continues to be a leader in environmental sustainability with the release of the 2022 Locomotive Emissions Monitoring (LEM) report. The report highlights advancements in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across all railway sectors, reinforcing the rail industry’s role as a key player in Canada’s environmental transition.
Key Facts & Findings
Railways invested over $12 billion into their Canadian networks between 2018-2022 and continued to reduce their emissions through investments in fleet renewal/modernization, fuel saving technologies, operational efficiencies, and use of low carbon fuels. Railways and their partners also made progress in their various partnerships as well as pilot projects in alternative propulsion.
The portion of the Canadian locomotive fleet compliant with emissions standards increased from 67.9% in 2017 to 84.4% in 2022. Reflective of the significant investments made by the rail industry to advance emission reductions.
CP initiated its demonstration Hydrogen Locomotive Program to advance industry knowledge in real-world operations and to generate critical industry knowledge to inform future commercialization and development. To advance ambitious long-term goals, CN announced plans for a battery-electric locomotive trial project to advance understanding of alternative propulsion technology and opportunities.
Both freight Class 1s began testing various renewable fuel blend rates in pursuit of achieving their climate targets. Renewable fuels are a critical component to further emission reductions.
The Southern Railway of British Columbia Ltd. (SRY) also began a hydrogen switcher locomotive trial in collaboration with the University of British Columbia-Okanagan with support from Transport Canada. Operational testing of 100% biodiesel (B100) at SRY was also launched to advance renewable fuels knowledge.
VIA Rail’s Fleet Renewal Program initiated the deployment of new energy efficient Tier 4 locomotives. VIA Rail also launched a pilot project to test an application using artificial intelligence, called EcoRail, to further advance opportunities to improve fuel efficiency.
The 2022 LEM report is the fifth and final report released under the 2018-2022 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between RAC and Transport Canada. This collaboration dates to 1995, when the first MOU was signed between railways and the federal government. The latest MOU, covering 2023-2030, was signed in December 2023.
