Railway Association of Canada issues latest emissions report

The Railway Association of Canada (RAC) last week shared its 2024 Locomotives Emissions Monitoring report, which details the progress freight and passenger railroads made toward reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions during the year.

Railroads continued to adopt Tier 4 locomotives in 2024. In the year, Tier 4 locomotives represented 10.5% of active fleets, up from 9.8% in 2023, said RAC officials in a press release. The association reports that 88.9% of the country's locomotive fleet met an emissions standard, and 93.1% were equipped with anti-idling devices.

Continued investments in modern equipment, cleaner technology and operational improvements have helped reduce emissions while supporting economic growth, stronger supply chains and sustainable transportation, they added. Railroads invested CA$4.5 billion in the Canadian rail network in the year.

For the first time, the 2024 report included data from railroads about biofuel consumption rather than estimates from provincial and national fuel standards. Biofuel accounted for more than 8% of all rail sector fuel consumption in 2024, and railroads reported a 56% increase in its use over 2023.

RAC's report also highlighted long-term reductions in GHG emissions intensity, which accounts for both the reduction of emissions as well as increased goods movement. Since 2005, regionals and short lines improved their GPG emissions intensity by 25.4%; Class Is by 32.1%; and intercity passenger railroads by 33.9%.

The 2024 report is the second of its kind published under a renewed 2023-2030 memorandum of understanding between Transport Canada and RAC, which reflects a shared commitment to reaching net-zero GHG emissions by 2050, RAC officials said. The first MOU was signed in 1995 between railroads and the federal government.