Emissions

Emissions

At Southeastern, we're committed to decreasing our carbon footprint. Our electric passenger trains are free from tailpipe emissions.

We have published our Decarbonisation Roadmap which sets out our plans to reduce our scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions. Download our Decarbonisation Roadmap Summary PDF to find out more.

We know that travelling by train is one of the most environmentally sustainable ways of travelling – particularly on our all-electric railway.

We are in the process of procuring new trains, which will give us more modern rolling stock which is more efficient and better for the environment.

In support of our decarbonisation roadmap, we want to get new rolling stock that uses less energy than the rolling stock its replacing. Visit our train improvements page for more information.

Emissions Strategy Wheel

Science Based Targets logo

Watch this short animation to find out more about plans to rapidly decarbonise.


Our 3 goals for emissions are...

A Quieter Railway

High levels of noise and no nuisance can have detrimental effects on both physical and mental health. Our aim is to reduce noise impacts and implement actions from our Noise Management strategy.
A Quieter Railway

Clean Air

Having a positive impact on air quality creates a better environment for our colleagues and communities, we will achieve this by delivering our Air Quality and Modal Shift strategies. We want the communities we serve to enjoy improved air quality, by encouraging people out of their cars and onto our trains, we can work together to reduce local air pollution.

We recently refreshed our company road fleet to be 65% hybrid vehicles, and all ULEZ compliant.

Clean Air

Net Zero Carbon Rail

We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint guided by science-based carbon reduction targets. Our energy related carbon emissions have significant reduced since our baseline year (2018/19). Our work will focus on reducing our direct carbon emissions, and those associated with our supply chain.

We have set science-based targets which provide a clearly defined pathway to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, helping us to prevent the impacts of climate change. Our targets have been approved by the Science-Based Targets initiative, as they are in line with the latest climate science deems necessary to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement – limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels.

Agreed science-based targets: Overall Net-Zero Target: SE Trains Limited commits to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the value chain by FY2050.

Near-Term Targets: SE Trains Limited commits to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 70% by FY2029 from a FY2019 base year. SE Trains Limited also commits that 74% of its suppliers by emissions covering purchased goods and services, fuel and energy related activities and upstream transportation and distribution, will have science-based targets by FY2029.

Long-Term Targets: SE Trains Limit commits to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by FY2035 from a FY2019 base year, and maintain at least 90% reductions through FY2050.* SE Trains Limit also commits to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions 90% by FY2050 from a FY2019 base year.

The targets boundary includes land-related emissions and removals from bioenergy feedstocks.

We have committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions from our operations by 2035, with an extended ambition to become net zero across our entire supply chain by 2050. Download our Decarbonisation Roadmap Summary PDF to find out more.

Net Zero Carbon Rail