Renfe has achieved AENOR's 'Carbon Neutral' certification for its electric passenger and freight trains, which guarantees that they do not generate any direct or indirect emissions at the source, using 100% renewable energy.
This certificate, handed over by AENOR CEO, Rafael García Meiro, to Renfe chairman Raül Blanco, acknowledges that Renfe's electric trains are carbon neutral, based on the PAS 2060 Standard, the most internationally recognised standard, developed by the prestigious British Standards Institution, a member of ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation).
Railway operations using electric trains do not produce direct emissions (there are no combustion processes) and since electricity is generated from 100% renewable sources, this endeavour achieves decarbonisation or "carbon neutrality" as there are no indirect emissions at the source either.
The supply of 100% renewable origin kWh instead of other sources of generation, is recognised and promoted in EU regulations and legislation, and reporting on them "separately from the rest" aims to speed up the energy transition.
Carbon neutrality when it comes to the acquisition of 100% renewable energy with a Guarantee of Origin, according to the CNMC Guarantee of Origin System, can be traced back to Directive EU 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018, on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources
The 'Carbon Neutral' certification also recognises Renfe's commitment to reducing consumption and being more efficient in the use of electricity, through efficient driving plans and the use of regenerative braking, which returns the energy used when braking the train to the catenary.
AENOR CEO Rafael García Meiro took the opportunity to emphasise that the delivery of this certificate to Renfe "provides a guarantee that trains and the environment are united as well as reliable reassurance that all its electric trains processes are carbon neutral".
In turn, Renfe chairman Raül Blanco highlighted that "achieving AENOR certification of the neutral carbon footprint of all our electric trains ratifies the importance of sustainability at Renfe and demonstrates that rail transport is the transport of present and the future".
Renfe reduced its Carbon Footprint per Unit Transported by 89% in 2022 compared to 1990. This figure is particularly impressive as this is 20 to 30 times lower than the emissions generated by its so-called direct competitors, such as air and road transport.
The company has been striving for a number of years to reduce the emissions of its daily operations insofar as possible. The daily movement of all trains avoids the emission of 5.7 million tonnes of CO2 per year and saves 1.1 million equivalent tonnes of oil.
Renfe's aim is to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2050. Furthermore, the company has signed up to the European business initiative to reduce CO2 emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and the Spanish Green Growth Group (GECV).
Quality and Environmental Certifications
Renfe has also achieved AENOR's Quality and Environment certifications pursuant to ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 for the entire fleet of AVE (high-speed), Avlo and freight trains.
These certifications demonstrate compliance with very demanding international reference standards and the correct deployment of the Quality and Environmental Management System by Renfe's teams, guaranteeing that the service provided is subject to control by the company, focussing on continuous improvement and commitment to the environment.
The certification of a Quality and Environmental Management System enhances the effectiveness of the organisation's processes, promotes the sustainability and environmental integration of the activities undertaken and contributes decisively to guaranteeing customer satisfaction, providing the company with added value and helping it to stand out compared to the competition.