UIC has released the fourth edition of its Global Rail Sustainability Report, coinciding with the start of the United Nations Decade of Sustainable Transport (2026-2035). To mark this symbolic date, UIC is highlighting rail’s contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Announced by the UN General Assembly in 2023, the Decade aims to accelerate the transition toward inclusive, efficient, and low-carbon transport systems worldwide. By publishing this report, UIC has reaffirmed its commitment to these objectives and calls for collective action to strengthen intermodal connectivity, reduce emissions, and promote socially inclusive transport.
The 2025 Global Rail Sustainability Report brings together the latest aggregated UIC data from the Rail Sustainability Index (RSi), the Traction Energy & Emissions Database (TED), and RAIL Information System and Analyses (RAILISA). It provides sector-wide insight and practical case studies to illustrate rail’s role as the backbone of sustainable transport and its broader contribution to responsible employment, communities, and economic development. The data comes directly from UIC members, demonstrating the remarkable progress and contributions being made by railways across the world.
The 27 shortlisted projects for the UIC Sustainability Impact Awards (held at Inno Trans in Berlin last week) are presented in the report, with each case study explaining the impact they are having on different SDGs.
From the companies who provided data, for 2024, a few key points are:
SDG5 - Gender equality:
- 25 % of the total workforce is female
- 27% of managers are women
- 31% of directors are women
SDG 7 - Affordable and clean energy:
- 90% of companies have a set and monitored target for renewable energy consumption
- 48% of total energy used in 2024 was renewable
SDG8 - Decent work and economic growth:
- 100% of reporting companies have a health and safety management system in place and 100% are certified systems (e.g. ISO 45001)
- 98% have a diversity and inclusion strategy for their staff and 98% have produced a regular report on the matter
- 90% have set target for equity in pay and 90% monitor this target
SDG 9 – Industry, innovation and infrastructure:
- 100% have put processes in place for identifying, assessing, and managing climate related issues integrated into overall risk management. All of them report on these processes and 83% comply with the Task Force on Climate‑related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)
SDG 11 – Sustainable cities and communities:
- 100% offer rail station access to for people with reduced mobility (PRMs)
- 92% offer wheelchair spaces on board
- 88% offer priority seat reservations for PRMs and people with disabilities (PWDs) on board
SDG 12 – Responsible consumption and production:
- 95% include social or environmental clauses within supplier contracts
- 95% have already issued a sustainability report, with 80% having it verified by a third party
- 83% monitor sustainability performance along their supply chains
- 69% of non-hazardous waste is sent for recycling
SDG 13 – Climate action
- 98% have an active emissions reduction target and 95% have integrated these targets into an industrial plan
- 95% take part in public-private partnerships (PPP) or initiatives on climate-related issues
- 95% have a board-level oversight of climate-related issues
By sharing experiences, good practices, and measurable progress from across the world, the report aims to support informed decision-making and strengthen the role of rail in advancing sustainable transport and the SDGs.
For more detailed information, please download the document at: Global Rail Sustainability Report.
