Standardised and intuitive carbon accounting guidance for GB Rail
Project number:
T1325
Consistent and efficient carbon reporting for rail
'RCAF provides us with clarity and certainty as we all develop our carbon accounting methodologies.'
The challenge
Carbon accounting in rail has long been challenging. Rail has complex links between managers, operators, and ROSCOs. Boundaries can be unclear and sector-specific guidance can be limited.
Earlier research highlighted these challenges through a comprehensive carbon footprint of rail. It then proposed a potential future approach. In this approach, organisations would take ownership of emissions for reporting across the sector.
Building on this, the Rail Carbon Accounting Framework (RCAF) sets out clear organisational boundaries and provides targeted guidance on known reporting issues. It also improves reporting efficiency and helps build a consistent sector-wide footprint.
What we did
We reviewed carbon footprints from 15+ member organisations, plus relevant standards and guidance. This was to ensure the RCAF is consistent with best practice and the Green House Gas protocol.
The process highlighted common accounting inconsistencies. These include double counting of infrastructure-related emissions and the overestimation of rolling stock emissions. Addressing these issues, the RCAF has further developed the Guiding Hand approach with help from a steering group of experts. This led to guidance documents tailored to
- infrastructure managers
- passenger operators
- freight operators
- ROSCOs.
This allocation avoids double counting and provides the basis for a consistent, sector-wide carbon footprint.
Benefits delivered
RCAF makes carbon reporting simpler. It allows short-term cost savings and reduces the need for consultants and internal resources.
It also improves data and decision-making over the long term. The creation of guidance on target setting—tailored to rail’s business and governance requirements—will also help more organisations develop strong business cases for future innovation.
More consistent targets will reduce the risk of counter-narratives. For example, they help prevent passenger operators from setting targets that require government investment, which is not always guaranteed.