Rail has a vital role to play in decarbonising our economy and minimising our environmental impacts. With strong green credentials we are currently a low carbon choice, however with the race to net zero and an increase in extreme weather events we are losing our advantage. A commitment to long-term environmental sustainability should be considered as essential for all involved in the future of the railway, including infrastructure developers and contractors. To be considered for this category, a business must look beyond its immediate needs and show leadership in the way it protects the needs of the business, environment, society and future generations.
Entries should come from any business within the railway sector Focused on a one or more of the following key environmental impact areas:
Deliver a class leading environmentally sustainable railway, that has a clear path to zero carbon and continuous improvement in all its environmental impacts.
Demonstrate significant level of ambition to lead industry in key area of environmental impact – such as decarbonisation, improving air quality, biodiversity gain or circular economy
Initiatives that are innovative or delivered ambitious results in addressing railway environmental impacts e.g decarbonisation, climate emergency, air quality, biodiversity or circular economy.
Use of innovative materials that could deliver significant improvements in using resources in the railway.
The judges will take a range of factors into account. However, the following are particularly relevant:
Evidence of a measurable reduction / improvement
Clear plan to deliver ambition, with demonstrable buy-in from organisational leadership and stakeholders, and specific investment plans and milestones
Clear evidence of existing achievement and leadership as foundation to deliver ambition
Will the initiative have a long-term effect by improving environmental impacts, or is there only a short-term impact?
Is the initiative being picked up in other parts of the railway? Can it be adopted by others and how are you promoting it?
Whether the approach is transferable and scalable across the railway and the transport system.
