Train vs plane: Is rail the more appealing option?

On track to reduce transport emissions

Transport emissions account for one quarter of the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions, and their levels are still rising. 2019 saw increasing societal pressure on politics and transport businesses to combat climate change and act ambitiously to reduce emissions.

The Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) and its members are committed to helping address the challenges that mobility is facing. Using the technology they operate every day, railways are ready to respond to the climate emergency.

High-speed rail, in particular, plays a crucial role in the transition towards sustainable transport by offering a viable replacement for short-haul flights and long car journeys on a wide number of origin-destination pairs. According to a recent European Commission (EC) study, high-speed rail even ‘over-pays’ to society for its average variable external and infrastructure costs. Therefore, it is a very efficient investment to significantly reduce the negative impacts of transportation on society.