Canada: RAC Releases 2023 Locomotive Emissions Monitoring Report
The Railway Association of Canada has released its 2023 Locomotive Emissions Monitoring (LEM) report, which highlights rail’s progress in the reduction of harmful emissions whilst investing in zero-emission and low-emission technologies.
The Railway Association of Canada has released its 2023 Locomotive Emissions Monitoring (LEM) report, which highlights rail’s progress in the reduction of harmful emissions whilst investing in zero-emission and low-emission technologies.
Its release follows the renewed 2023–2030 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Transport Canada (TC) and the Railway Association of Canada (RAC), which represents a shared vision of achieving net-zero GHG emissions by 2050.
The report has found that regional & shortline freight railways’ GHG emissions intensity has improved by 17.5%, Class 1 freight railways’ GHG emissions intensity has improved by 28.8%, whilst absolute GHG emissions have fallen by 8.9%.
Elsewhere, intercity passenger railways’ GHG emissions intensity has improved 34.2%, and criteria air containment emissions have also decreased, including nitrogen (–48.9%), particulate matter (–62.7%) and sulphur dioxide (–99%).
President and CEO of the Railway Association of Canada, Eric Harvey, said:
Canada’s railways are proving that competitiveness and sustainability go hand in hand. By cutting emissions intensity, we are strengthening Canada’s trade advantage, keeping supply chains resilient, and delivering growth with fewer emissions.
The progress highlighted in the LEM report reflects decades of investment in efficiency and innovation—and our industry’s commitment to advancing the technologies that will get us to net zero.
