Amtrak Pledges Net-Zero Emissions by 2045

Amtrak has pledged to be net zero in greenhouse gas emissions by 2045. Funding from last year’s infrastructure law which gave $66 billion to rail, will help Amtrak reach this goal.

Source: The Economist/YouTube

Amtrak also said in their announcement that they plan to reduce diesel fuel usage through new technology as well as use carbon-free electricity by 2030.

The company said that it will also be investing in research in collaboration with states and experts to advance fuel cells, hydrogen, batteries, and other zero-emission technologies.

“Not only are trains convenient and comfortable, they are also one of the most sustainable modes of transportation,” Amtrak chief executive Stephen Gardner said in a statement. “With new equipment, modernized stations and net zero emissions, Amtrak can lead the drive toward sustainable transportation throughout the nation.”

According to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) data, rail contributes to around 2 percent of transportation-related emissions.

“We congratulate Amtrak for this ambitious commitment to further reduce its carbon footprint, cementing its place as a leader in the clean transportation revolution,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement.

Amtrak operates over 300 trains which serve over 500 destinations every day. This is a great step towards cutting down greenhouse gas emissions and curbing climate change.

Remember, the single most impactful action an individual can take is choosing to eat more plant-based foods. A 2021 study found that global greenhouse gas emissions from animal-based foods are twice those of plant-based foods, while the IPCC’s sixth assessment report, entitled Mitigation of Climate change, supports a shift to vegan diets (rich in pulses, nuts, fruits, and vegetables, and devoid of any animal-derived product) as it could reduce food-related GHG emissions by 29 percent (estimated at 6.5 GtCO2e).

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