A milestone in global rail leadership announced on Transport Day at COP29 in Baku
Azerbaijan Railways (ADY) and Polish State Railways (PKP) have become the 39th and 40th signatories of the UIC Railway Climate Responsibility Pledge together at the Azerbaijan pavilion in the COP29 venue in Baku. This pledge makes a formal commitment to decarbonisation in line with the Paris Agreement, where, at this critical juncture, countries are being urged to enhance their climate action ambitions. Not only are the railway companies committing to net zero carbon emissions but also to helping to deliver the UN Sustainable Development Goals, bringing broader benefits in terms of sustainability.
The signing ceremony took place at the end of an event hosted by this year’s COP Presidency of Azerbaijan in their dedicated event space. The side event shone a spotlight on Azerbaijan’s leadership in climate action through sustainable transport, particularly focusing on rail networks as key contributors to reducing carbon emissions. It also presented Azerbaijan’s efforts in developing a multimodal and integrated transport system, where railways play a crucial role in decarbonising both freight and passenger operations.
What is the UIC Railway Climate Responsibility Pledge?
The UIC Railway Climate Responsibility Pledge is a commitment by global railway operators to actively reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy efficiency, and promote sustainable practices within the transport sector. By signing the pledge, members agree to report annually on their progress, participate in collaborative initiatives to share knowledge and adopt innovative technologies to decarbonise their operations. This reinforces the rail sector’s role as a leader in the fight against climate change and its capacity to drive progress towards attaining broader sustainable development goals.
Achievements under the pledge
Since its launch, the UIC Railway Climate Responsibility Pledge has accelerated progress significantly:
Over 38 signatories have committed to reducing their emissions, collectively representing more than 80% of rail activity around the world.
A 20% reduction in emissions from key UIC members since 2015 has been recorded, in line with sector-wide climate goals.
Implementation of low-carbon technologies and renewable energy solutions in rail operations, boosting energy efficiency across networks.
Poland’s drive for climate action
In his role as Chair of UIC, CEO of Polish State Railways Dr Alan Beroud spoke at the event saying, “As the world meets for COP29 here in Baku, we must do our part to reduce emissions and create resilient, sustainable transport networks. This is why, at UIC, we are focused on championing initiatives that engender impactful change. From the UIC Vision 2030 to the Rail Climate Pledge, we are committed to leading the way in sustainable transport. PKP is proud to be joining Azerbaijan Railways in stepping up our climate commitment here at COP29.”
Azerbaijan’s leadership in sustainable transport
The railway system is crucial for Azerbaijan’s drive to become a key transit hub connecting Asia to Europe, facilitating trade while promoting sustainable transport solutions. Rovshan Rustamov, CEO of Azerbaijan Railways (ADY), concluded by stating “Our goal is to create a carbon-neutral railway transport system that not only enhances our regional connectivity but also aligns with our commitment to global climate objectives. This is why we are proud to join the climate leaders of UIC by signing the Rail Climate Pledge.”
