Carbon reduction
Rail must decarbonise to meet our 2050 Net Zero ambitions. This growing list of resources will help you plan and implement cutting-edge strategies to reduce emissions.
Collected research and methods to target and reduce greenhouse gas reductions in energy, traction power, and infrastructure.
Reducing carbon is a great challenge for rail. As an industry, we’re having to reinvent design, technology, procurement, and supply chain relationships. But with the latest research, tools, and best practice, we can unlock efficiency, cost saving, social, and economic co-benefits at the same time.
Low carbon fuel research
Electrification is the long-term solution for traction power. But combustion engines will still be used on the network for many years. We researched four low-carbon fuel options:
1. Hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO): renewable biofuels such as vegetable oils, animal fats, and waste oils
2. Synthetic fuels: made using hydrogen and CO2 from low-carbon sources
3. E-ammonia: chemically identical to the natural gas, this process uses renewable electricity to generate and combine the hydrogen and nitrogen to make e-ammonia
4. Hydrogen: internal combustion engines designed for hydrogen combustion.
This research is based on a literature review, interviews with subject matter experts, and input from a joint industry and government steering group. This information can inform purchase and research decisions, and help shape your strategy.
Carbon reduction cost analysis guide
This guidance helps you get the greatest benefit from your carbon reduction investments.
The marginal abatement cost (MAC) is the cost of reducing one tonne of carbon. It’s a fundamental and powerful metric for carbon decision makers. This guidance shows analysts how to calculate the MAC and display options on a curve. Use it to assess:
- the expense of mitigation options
- which options provide the most carbon benefit per pound spent.
This guide provides background on the range of MAC applications, from basic to advanced.
Retrofitting solar PV to stations and depots
Solar photovoltaic (PV) deployment is increasing across the UK, supported by the government’s UK Solar Roadmap 2025 and wider ambitions to expand solar capacity by 2030.
Rail presents a significant opportunity, with over 2,500 stations and hundreds of depots. Installing PV on these assets can reduce operational carbon emissions and electricity costs. Network Rail guidance indicates potential carbon reductions of 37–59%, increasing to 67–106% when combined with battery storage. Standards already set clear expectations.
Network Rail’s Climate Action Design Manual requires all new build and renewal projects to assess the feasibility of solar PV installation. Despite this, adoption across existing rail buildings remains limited, highlighting a clear opportunity to accelerate deployment.
This guidance supports the design, installation and operation of PV across stations and depots, including rooftop, car park and ground-mounted solutions. It outlines key considerations and signposts relevant standards and guidance.
