Etihad Rail has launched the UAE’s first-ever “CO2 Emission Avoidance and Reduction Certificates,” marking a groundbreaking step in sustainable transport. The initiative, designed to quantify and validate carbon savings from using rail over traditional road transport, positions Etihad Rail at the forefront of the UAE’s climate action efforts.
The certificates, calculated using the EcoTransIT tool, measure CO2 equivalent emissions based on a lifecycle analysis (Well-to-Wheel) that evaluates fuel usage from extraction to combustion. By comparing the emissions of rail freight with road transport, the initiative underscores the environmental benefits of rail, which has a significantly lower carbon footprint.
Omar Alsebeyi, Executive Director of Commercial & Performance at Etihad Rail, stated:
“Sustainability is not just a commitment—it is a cornerstone of our identity and operations. The introduction of our CO2 Emission Avoidance and Reduction Certificates underscores our dedication to pioneering climate action and delivering tangible value to our customers.”
A Key Contribution to UAE’s Net Zero Strategy
The new certificates not only support the UAE’s ambitious Net Zero by 2050 Strategy but also help businesses meet their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals. Companies using rail transport can incorporate these certificates into their sustainability reports, improving their ESG ratings and appealing to eco-conscious investors. This also aligns with the UAE’s recent Federal decree law 11 of 2024, which focuses on tackling climate change and reducing emissions.
Significant Environmental Impact
Etihad Rail’s long-term goal is to transport 60 million tonnes of cargo annually by 2030, which is projected to reduce road transport emissions by 21% annually by 2050. This reduction is equivalent to removing 300 trucks from the roads for every train journey, preventing the release of 8.2 million tonnes of CO2 each year.
This innovative step underscores Etihad Rail’s leadership in sustainable logistics and contributes significantly to the UAE’s broader decarbonization efforts. By shifting a substantial amount of cargo from road to rail, the project sets a new standard for greener, more efficient transport in the region. The initiative exemplifies how the transportation sector can play a critical role in achieving national and global climate goals.
