Q&A with RIA’s David Clarke: Decarbonisation in rail
Can you give us an overview of what you and the RIA are doing here at Railtex?
At the practical level, the Railway Industry Association (RIA) is at Railtex for the future focus conference and the innovation village. At the strategic level, we’re here to support our members who are exhibiting to raise the profile of the supply chain with key decision makers. Through the people we’re inviting to the innovation conference, we’re trying to raise the profile of the rail supply chain as a major part of the economy.
Can you talk a little bit about the importance of decarbonisation for the rail industry?
The importance is that we have a climate emergency. As with all sectors, we are committed to becoming net zero carbon by 2050 or sooner. However, this is challenging for the transport sector because it is the only sector where carbon emissions are growing, as people want to travel more. So, demand is rising and carbon emissions are growing.
Rail is approximately only 1.4% of transport emissions, yet it carries around 10% of passengers. Already it is a strong low carbon mode of transportation. Rail is also special in that it already has a ready-made and proven solution to decarbonisation. Most of that would be electrification, but also with battery.. Rail is currently able to decarbonise, whereas some other sectors must do more development in R&D and build up their industrial capability to be able to decarbonise.