The Processes We Use
We have been working very hard to put the most effective processes in place to provide our travellers with carbon neutral journeys. What follows are detailed explanations of how and why we do what we do.
We want to reduce emissions before we offset
Most of the energy we use (and therefore CO2 we emit) as a company is from traction energy, which is the energy needed to move the train and power things on board like heating, lighting and air conditioning. As a priority, Eurostar is always looking at ways in which to reduce the CO2 emissions associated with its point to point traveller journeys (e.g. from London to Paris).
In April 2007 we made a pledge to reduce emissions by 25% per passenger journey by 2012 (from a 2007 baseline). Having achieved this target by 2009, we have now extended it to a reduction in CO2 per passenger journey of 35% by 2012.
How we calculate carbon emissions from our train journeys
Any greenhouse gas emissions from point to point journeys that we have not been able to abate are offset by purchasing carbon credits equal to the quantity of carbon equivalent emissions (CO2e) generated.
As stated above, most of the CO2e emissions from our train journeys relate to the use of energy to power the trains on our direct routes of London - Paris, London - Brussels, London - Marne-la-Vallée (Disneyland® Resort Paris), London - Bourg-St-Maurice and London - Avignon.
When we measure the amount of electricity the train consumes on these journeys, we also take into account the power required for heating, lighting and any other type of on-board auxiliaries. In addition, we calculate the electrical transmission and distribution losses that occur along the grid and rail networks.
Other greenhouse gases which we take into account include the CO2 equivalent (CO2e) emissions that have been released from the air conditioning and refrigeration units on board our trains. These aren’t nearly as significant as the emissions from the use of electricity but we feel it important to measure and offset these as well.
Working out the CO2 emissions from train electricity use
We calculate our CO2 emissions in a three step process.
We calculate our CO2 emissions in a three step process.
- Data gathered using an on-board meter (which records energy consumption rather like your electricity meter at home) on one of our trains has allowed us to calculate the amount of average energy that our trains use along each of our core routes. Hundreds of journeys have been analysed in this way to represent a robust average value of energy consumed for each section of track and therefore each core route.
- Based on the energy production mix of our suppliers (e.g. coal, nuclear, renewable) we know the specific value of CO2 emissions for each unit of electricity consumed along the different sections of our routes. By multiplying the average energy consumption values (see above) by these conversion factors we have built a profile of the total CO2 emissions by section and by route. As different sections of the track are supplied with electricity by different producers it is vitally important that we use this level of detail.
- By forecasting the number of trains we expect to run by route across any given period, we are able to use the energy and conversion process above to predict the likely amount of CO2 generated by future Eurostar journeys across the network.
At the start of each month we are able to reconcile information from the previous month to track our accuracy and to make any adjustments necessary. Because we need to adjust this information from time to time, it is important that we always maintain a stock of carbon credits. Think of it as a savings account you may be keeping back for a rainy day.
Refrigerants
In addition to the CO2 from electricity consumption for the locomotives, we also take account of refrigerant leakage from all our on-board air conditioning and refrigeration units. In order to make sure we have covered any leakage we monitor the total tonnes issued from our stores and multiply each chemical by its global warming potential to give CO2 equivalent emissions (CO2e).
As a result, Eurostar journeys from 14 November 2007 to 31 December 2008 emitted 45,597 tonnes of CO2e,which we have offset through the purchase of carbon credits. We anticipate that the figure for 2009 will be in the region of 38,000 tonnes of CO2e. To date Eurostar has purchased 85,000 carbon credits.
Why do we use this method?
Carbon calculation and reporting is an evolving field. This is particularly the case in the transport sector.
For Step 2 above, there are several approaches and different national guidances for calculating CO2 emissions from electricity purchased, using either supplier specific, regional or national average emissions factors. We note that the British and French reporting guidance are not consistent with one another.
Eurostar uses supplier specific values to calculate the CO2 arising from the consumption of electricity in order to report emissions and to calculate any carbon credits required to ensure carbon neutrality for all Eurostar journeys. We believe that by using supplier specific factors we are providing accurate data about the CO2 content of our electricity supply whilst maintaining credibility of reporting across all of our international markets and using our status as a large user of electricity to highlight and influence the need for increased production of low carbon sources of electricity.
Our decision to use supplier specific values is also consistent with our corporate structure, location of operations, and the national reporting guidance from ADEME in France. Eurostar is a joint venture with a majority French shareholder (SNCF) and France is also the territory wherein most train operations, in terms of kilometres travelled, take place.
Offsetting - Eurostar’s criteria for project investment
The final part of the process is to offset the emissions we cannot yet eliminate by purchasing carbon credits. In principle, these are tradable allowances corresponding to a single tonne of CO2e.
Firstly, it is important that we choose a reputable company to supply our carbon credits. This means that a lot of hard work went into examining a wide range of suppliers before choosing Carbon Clear, who were selected because of their robust approach and alignment with our own aims.
There are many things to consider when investing in carbon reduction projects. Predominantly our aim is to ensure that any projects we invest in are of good quality and accredited either through the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), the Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS) or the Voluntary Gold Standard (VGS) criteria.
Our criteria for credit selection has centred largely on projects that deliver renewable energy or those that generate energy using sustainable supplies of fuel combined with energy efficiency. Whichever projects we invest in, we are always keen to ensure that we also purchase credits from projects that have much wider social and economic benefits.
Our criteria for credit selection has centred largely on projects that deliver renewable energy or those that generate energy using sustainable supplies of fuel combined with energy efficiency. Whichever projects we invest in, we are always keen to ensure that we also purchase credits from projects that have much wider social and economic benefits.
We have ensured that any credits we buy have proven additionality (i.e the project would not have occurred without the investment raised by selling carbon offset credits), a robust baseline methodology and third party verification of the carbon credits generated. We look at every single project design ourselves in order to undertake our own due diligence and we are also proud to work with Carbon Clear who help us in our understanding of all the important issues. This of course means that trust forms an essential part of our relationship.
You can read more about the projects we have purchased carbon credits from here. (link to projects we proudly support page)
How do we make sure we continue to provide carbon neutral journeys?
The carbon credits we purchase are all bought in advance of when they are actually required and, more importantly, are already issued by the relevant authorising body before we count them towards our carbon neutral journey. This means that the reductions in emissions have already happened before we count them. We don’t like to live on a promise! This is a really important part of our requirements as we don’t believe that counting credits that have not yet been delivered is an option for us in achieving carbon neutral journeys.
In order to do this, we continually track and reconcile our estimated emissions against our actual train emissions and we retire the equivalent number of carbon credits in order to make each journey carbon neutral.
How can you be sure that your Eurostar journey is carbon neutral?
In November 2007 we made a promise to ensure that at the end of each year we would validate our success by seeking external assurance. Thus we have commissioned Bureau Veritas, a professional services company whose overriding aim is to provide its clients with the necessary services required to achieve, maintain and demonstrate compliance with Safety, Health, Environment, Quality & Social Accountability. Bureau Veritas ensure that we correctly calculated our train journey emissions, have followed a robust process in purchasing the carbon credits required to offset CO2e emissions and that we report it all in a fair and honest way. The assurance statement provided by Bureau Veritas, which provides details on the scope of work, main findings and limitations, can be found by clicking the link at the bottom of this page.
This page assured by Bureau Veritas April 2009. View our main assurance statement, including scope of work/limitations and findings.
Environment
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Sleep easy in the knowledge that we are offsetting all the CO2 from your journey with high quality projects.Actions speak louder
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For our vital statistics, click hereQuotes
"Doing nothing is not an option. What Eurostar is doing is a plan for the future."
Stuart Rose, Chief Executive, Marks & Spencer
Stuart Rose, Chief Executive, Marks & Spencer
"Eurostar is leading the way by making a real reduction."
Tony Juniper, Executive Director, Friends of the Earth
Tony Juniper, Executive Director, Friends of the Earth
"Eurostar have set a transport industry benchmark."
Stephen Joseph, Executive Director, Transport 2000
Stephen Joseph, Executive Director, Transport 2000
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