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In a bid to revolutionize sustainable travel across Europe, Eurostar, the renowned high-speed rail network connecting France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and the UK, has unveiled its groundbreaking sustainability strategy. The initiative, outlined in its inaugural sustainability report, sets forth a bold objective: to facilitate 30 million passenger journeys by 2030 while significantly reducing carbon emissions.
Eurostar’s sustainability strategy is structured around three key pillars:
Reducing Environmental Impact: The company aims to minimize its carbon footprint by transitioning to renewable energy sources for its traction needs and implementing measures to decrease energy consumption. Notably, Eurostar has forged partnerships, such as the Memorandum of Understanding signed with Infrabel in February 2024, to explore innovative solar projects for powering trains.
Promoting Circular Practices: Eurostar is committed to integrating circularity throughout its value chain, from production to end-of-life, to optimize resource utilization and minimize waste. Noteworthy efforts include sourcing sustainable and environmentally friendly options for on-board catering, leading to recognition with a three-star rating from the Food Made Good Awards.
Enhancing Connectivity: Eurostar seeks to attract more passengers to its low-carbon service by bolstering connectivity through “open hubs,” facilitating seamless connections to domestic networks and long-haul flights. This objective is exemplified by its air-rail partnership with KLM.Central to Eurostar’s sustainability vision is its ambition to transition to 100% renewable energy by 2030. By collaborating with partners and regulators, Eurostar aims to drive rapid adoption of renewable energy projects and set a precedent for sustainable practices within the transportation sector.
Eurostar CEO Gwendoline Cazenave emphasized the company’s commitment to spearheading change, stating, “This is a deliberately ambitious target. Eurostar wants to use its brand and commitment to accelerate change across the sector.” Cazenave highlighted the pivotal role of regulatory support and partnership in achieving this goal.
In a significant milestone, Eurostar has joined the RE100 alliance, becoming the first rail company to commit to sourcing 100% of its energy from renewable sources. Ollie Wilson, Head of RE100 at Climate Group, praised Eurostar’s leadership, noting its potential to inspire global action within the rail sector.
While Eurostar has made notable strides towards sustainability, including operating on 100% wind power in the Netherlands since 2017 and reaching 40% renewable energy in the UK since 2023, the company remains dedicated to furthering its efforts. In Belgium, collaborative initiatives, such as the Memorandum of Understanding with Infrabel, underscore Eurostar’s commitment to expanding renewable energy usage.
Eurostar’s ambitious sustainability goals reflect its unwavering dedication to reducing its environmental impact while fostering sustainable travel options for millions of passengers. As Eurostar continues to innovate and collaborate, it aims to build a resilient and environmentally conscious mode of international transportation, ensuring that every journey is undertaken with the planet’s well-being in mind. |
