Eurostar is aiming to switch to green energy to power all of its rail services by 2030.
The target was included in a new 10-point environmental plan launched by the operator earlier today (February 7).
The ‘Tread Lightly’ plan states “We will eliminate the use of fossil fuel energy for all of our train journeys across our markets by 2030”.
Eurostar is looking to follow in the footsteps of the Dutch state railway operator NS, which now uses wind energy to power its electric train fleet.
The cross-border operator also wants to see a 5 per cent reduction in train energy by 2020. It plans to do this by installing energy meters on its e320 fleet.
Other commitments include installing solar panels at its Temple Mills depot, reducing paper and plastic waste by 50 per cent over the course of the next couple of years and reducing the volume of onboard waste.
One of the first steps has been to scrap plastic straws on its trains and in its business lounges.
Since 2010, Eurostar has cut its carbon emissions by 32 per cent and has reduced waste across the business by 50 per cent.
Nicolas Petrovic, chief executive of Eurostar, said: “Over the last eight years we have reduced our carbon footprint by over 30 per cent but given the scale of the challenge facing the environment, we are now setting stretching new targets.
“High-speed rail plays a pivotal role in encouraging the switch to more sustainable modes of transport and we are committed to increasing our energy efficiency and reducing our waste across the business.”
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