As policymakers attempt to balance economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic with meaningful progress toward combatting climate change, America’s railways want to be — and must be — a part of the solution.
“The transportation sector is the biggest source of greenhouse gases in the U.S., but the vast majority of those planet-warming emissions come from cars and trucks”, Bloomberg points out. “Rail is responsible for just 2% of the sector’s emissions, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, even though railroads account for roughly 40% of U.S. long-distance freight volume”.
In a newly released report, AAR outlines the environmental benefits of freight railways, the ongoing improvements they are making to mitigate climate change and the policies they need to move America towards a more sustainable future.
“Policymakers, businesses and individuals must unite and act swiftly on smart, lasting solutions to fuel economic recovery and protect our environment”, said AAR CEO Ian Jefferies. “Well-designed, economically sound policies can effectively drive the economy toward lower overall emissions, specifically in the transportation sector. Railroads stand ready to be a part of the solution”.
(Source: AAR)
