The Rail Delivery Group (RDG) has announced the release of new data highlighting the environmental benefits of rail travel for businesses. According to the latest phase of the Green Travel Pledge, rail journeys produce lower carbon emissions than petrol and diesel cars on 93.8% of over 80,000 business trips analyzed.
The data, available on the Rail Data Marketplace, covers more than 40,000 point-to-point routes across Britain. Businesses can now access carbon emission information for specific journeys when booking through travel management companies or online booking tools. This allows for direct comparisons between rail and other modes of transport, such as cars and planes.
RDG is urging businesses to adopt the data and incorporate it into their travel policies. By choosing rail for business travel, companies can demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and achieve their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals.
Jacqueline Starr, Rail Delivery Group’s chief executive said: “We all have a responsibility to reduce our carbon footprint, so having our Green Travel Pledge data available through global and domestic travel management companies (TMCs) and online booking tools (OBTs) will enable more businesses to choose rail over other modes for business travel.
“We’re asking businesses to kickstart a movement towards more sustainable travel, with data on over 40,000 business routes available, and we’d like businesses to showcase their commitment to sustainability by using our industry-leading carbon data to make better and informed business travel decisions.”
Clive Wratten, chief executive of the British Travel Association (BTA), said: “The BTA recognises the critical importance of consistent data in carbon reporting, and the rail industry’s Green Travel Pledge represents a significant and meaningful advancement.
“We are delighted with the launch of phase two of this pledge, which includes an additional 40,000 point-to-point business routes. This will further empower our travel management companies (TMCs) to assist customers in making informed and sustainable travel choices.”
Dan Beauchamp, Vice President Amex GBT Consulting, said: “At Amex GBT, we continue to work alongside Rail Delivery Group to develop Green Travel Pledge.
“With Green Travel Pledge, we have a robust, data-driven way to show customers how rail emissions measure up against air and car, enabling us to make informed recommendations on modal shift that support their sustainability objectives. We believe rail should be at the heart of business travel, as a sustainable way to power progress.”
Sarah Ockendon, procurement manager at the John Lewis Partnership, said: “The continued development of the Green Travel Pledge and its output is critical for our business to take action in driving sustainable business travel.
“It is a fundamental consideration in the continued development of our travel principles and the usage of rail travel versus alternate options and supports our focus on reaching our overall sustainability goals and aspirations.”
The data was developed in collaboration with Thrust Carbon, 3Squared, Black Box Partnerships, and the wider rail industry, with support from the Great British Railway Transition Team. It represents a significant milestone in providing businesses with accurate and reliable carbon emission data for rail journeys in Britain.
