A key element of the case for HSR is that it is more
environmentally sustainable than other modes of transport. Under
the 2008 Climate Change Act legally binding targets mean the UK
needs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80 per cent
by 2050. - HSR can deliver mode shift from carbon-intensive car
and air travel by dramatically speeding up journey times for
medium– and long-distance journeys. - Travel by HSR produces
only one-quarter of the carbon emissions of car travel and an
equivalent trip by air, taking into account the average loadings
typically achieved on each mode. - In the future, the carbon
advantage of HSR will be as great if not better, given that it
operates on electric traction and will therefore benefit from
future decarbonisation of the electricity supply. This is true
even if we switch to electric cars and if aviation becomes
considerably more efficient. - Operating trains at speeds of 300
km/h and above increases energy consumption and hence carbon
emissions compared with conven