We’re the greener way to go

At Eurostar, it’s in our nature to care for the environment. For over 25 years, we’ve been the green gateway to Europe – and we’re still just as committed to looking after the planet. Take a look at how we’re serious about sustainability in everything we do.

*The analysis of Eurostar versus air emissions has been based on an independent analysis by Paul Watkiss Associates Ltd in 2020, based on 2019 CO2e emissions.

The comparison between Eurostar and aviation is made based on the kg of greenhouse gas emissions [CO2(e)] per train journey per passenger on the same one-way journey. This allows a direct, accurate and fair analysis as it takes account of the fact that rail journeys are typically longer (in km) than equivalent air journeys. The average value is based on the overall Eurostar route mix, and comparative data for the same destinations for aviation, but using a weighted average that reflects annual train trips to each individual destination.

Methodology to calculate Eurostar CO2e emissions: Energy use data (electricity consumption) from Eurostar trains has been measured using on-board meters: meter data for Paris and Brussels e300 routes and e320 meter data for the Paris route (only). The electricity use on other routes has been extrapolated based on distance. The emissions per passenger are derived from using recorded annual train load factors for each individual route. The proportion of e320 and e300 are also assessed. The analysis of emissions for Eurostar electricity consumption uses the Defra UK greenhouse gas reporting guidelines (available here) and uses the 2019 published factors. For the analysis of average electricity emissions in France, Belgium and the Netherlands, the analysis uses the 2019 IEA emissions from the Fuel Combustion online data service of the International Energy Agency (IEA).

Methodology to calculate air emissions: Emissions per journey were estimated using fuel consumption from comparative trips by air for the same routes, and the aviation industry carbon emission calculator available online from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Emissions (Kg CO2e) per passenger journey (single trip):