VR sets ambitious targets for reducing emissions

National railway operator VR aims for reducing half of its emissions during the next seven years and reaching net-zero emissions by 2040, said VR in a press release on Monday.

The international Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has verified VR’s near-term target and long-term targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The targets are aligned with the level of reduction needed to limit global warming to 1.5°C.

Setting the targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions is a part of VR’s ongoing sustainability agenda development. The validation from SBTi indicates that VR’s targets are in line with the latest science.

“Trains already generate the least emissions when it comes to transport modes in Finland: train traffic causes only one percentage of all traffic emissions. We want to raise the bar even higher and do our part in mitigating global warming. Our new targets also take into account the indirect, scope 3 emissions of our actions,” said Jonna Juslin, VR’s director of public affairs and sustainability.

VR will continue its work to improve energy-efficiency in both train and bus traffic and real-estate management. Reaching the targets will require alternative technologies, such as battery-electricity and hydrogen, to become commercially viable.

In bus traffic, VR’s Pohjolan Liikenne is already a forerunner with 70% of the traffic being driven by electric buses.

VR will also work together with its business partners to bring down the emissions across the value chain.