It is widely accepted that a modal shift towards railways can contribute to meeting EU targets on climate protection and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. A stronger role for rail will help to achieve real progress towards the 2020 target of a 20% cut in the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions. However, concerted action must be taken by governments and policy-makers to help bring this about. The rail sector is doing its part, having already agreed on a voluntary target for 2020, to cut its 1990 levels of specifi c emissions by 30%. It is also funding research to work towards standardised.
