ProRail, the Dutch railway manager, recently had to take a step back on the CO2 Performance Ladder, by dropping from the highest level. This is because the organization has not been able to achieve its own targets for reducing CO2 emissions by 2022. Despite this setback, ProRail remains determined in its ambition to achieve a significant reduction in CO2 emissions, aiming for a 55 percent reduction in 2030 compared to the reference year 2015.

In 2022, ProRail will have emitted 10,6 kilotons of CO2, which is considerably higher than the set target of a maximum of 8 kilotons. For comparison, ProRail's emissions that year were equivalent to those of approximately 889 households. A crucial factor in not achieving the target was the reduced purchase of green energy, which resulted in a larger part of electricity consumption consisting of gray energy. In addition, the turbulence in the energy market caused by the war in Ukraine and delays in energy-saving measures have contributed to the higher emissions.

Nevertheless, ProRail has achieved success in reducing its scope 2022 emissions in 1, which have decreased by 1,3 kilotons. This result has been achieved, among other things, by switching from gas-fired to electric point heating and the renovation of points. In addition, CO2 emissions from stations have been halved compared to 2021, thanks to measures such as better insulation, reducing heating and improved measuring methods.