Canadian railway emissions continue to decrease

Canadian railways are well placed to meet their greenhouse gases (GHGs) and criteria air contaminants (CACs) targets, according to the latest Locomotive Emissions Monitoring (LEM) Program report released today by the Railway Association of Canada (RAC).

The LEM report summarizes the progress that freight and passenger railways have made towards reducing GHGs and CACs from locomotives operating in Canada, highlighting many of the environmental benefits associated with moving both goods and people by rail.

By incorporating more fuel management technologies and innovative operating strategies, GHG emission intensities decreased from 2015 to 2016 for all freight and inter-city passenger railways in Canada. In addition, total CAC emissions in the railway sector were reduced over the reporting period.

“The Canadian railway industry is proud to continue to do their part in the fight against climate change,” said Marc Brazeau, President and CEO of the RAC. “Through fleet upgrades that include more fuel-efficient locomotives, to incorporating more innovative technologies into our day-to-day operations, we remain committed to taking concrete actions to help reduce transportation-related emissions in Canada.”

“Addressing climate change means exploring all opportunities to reduce emissions from Canada’s transportation system,” said Transport Minister Marc Garneau. “I congratulate the railway sector for its continued efforts to use more fuel-efficient locomotives and implementing novel fuel management technologies.”

This is the sixth report released under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the RAC and Transport Canada, which encourages the RAC’s Class 1 freight, shortline and inter-city passenger railway members to voluntarily reduce their emissions intensity.

About the Railway Association of Canada

The Railway Association of Canada (RAC) represents more than 50 freight and passenger railway companies that move more than 84 million passengers and $280 billion worth of goods in Canada each year. The RAC advocates on behalf of its members and associate members to ensure that the rail sector remains globally competitive, sustainable, and most importantly, safe. Learn more at railcandev.wpengine.com. Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

 

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Contact:
Victoria Savoy
Manager, Communications
(613) 880-7324
vsavoy@railcan.ca