SNCF CEO Jean-Pierre Farandou highlighted the collaboration needed by the industry to reach its goals. Credit: Leonid Andronov

The French Railway Industries Association (FIF) and national rail company SNCF have revealed a White Paper outlining the French rail industry’s decarbonisation ambitions. 

Alongside promoting the modal shift to rail as a way of decreasing emissions overall, the white paper also lists issues such as increasing the capacity of the country’s rail network, improving the energy efficiency of rolling stock, and improving the sustainability of buildings. 

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Louis Nègre, President of the FIF, said: “Innovative rolling stock, eco-responsible infrastructure, and renewable energies are emerging as the pillars of a new railway era. And it is with immense pride that we see the numerous initiatives taken within our sector to advance this vital cause. 

“We know that the path to a decarbonized rail sector is strewn with challenges, but it is also lined with opportunities.” 

As part of the white paper, the organisations said the industry would make two major commitments, including the creation of a roadmap to decarbonisation that would outline the industry’s trajectory and its greenhouse gas objectives, in line with the previous commitment to achieve net zero by 2050. 

Additionally, the paper outlines a plan to create a central body to monitor the industry’s progress with the founding of a steering committee dedicated to decarbonisation, co-hosted by the FIF and SNCF along with major manufacturers and operators from the industry. 

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

SNCF and FIF said that the committee would be tasked with helping and encouraging the production of emissions reports by 2025 and promoting and monitoring the implementation of decarbonisation action plans. 

SNCF CEO Jean-Pierre Farandou said that the white paper had formed the team to accelerate decarbonisation in the French rail industry, thanking Nègre and the other contributors for mobilising to reduce their carbon footprint. 

He said: “If the train is to virtuous thanks to the use of carbon-free energy, the entire rail sector must increase its efforts to reduce its emissions. 

“‘Your carbon is my carbon’, could be described as the slogan that has mobilised the SNCF and the FIF to share the solutions gathered in this white paper.” 

Publication of the paper, and its mention of the modal shift towards rail, line up with the recent announcement by French Transport Minister Clément Beaune who announced that the country would be introducing its own unlimited rail pass for €49 ($52.5) a month, in the style of Germany’s Deutschlandticket, to encourage more sustainable travel habits.