a sustainable network

A leading player in sustainable development, the company was involved during the Environment Round Table and put forward several proposals aimed, amongst other things, at promoting growth of railway freight.

In terms of the environment, the company is working towards:

Controlling and reducing railway noise,
Preserving water resources,
Preventing flood risk,
Ensuring respects for biodiversity and ecosystems,
Contributing to urban development and the renewal of tracks.
 

Through its land policy, RFF hopes to contribute towards the development of urban areas where the interests of the railways and sustainable development coincide: adding value to the land and developing the company’s rental income.
land and real-estate
 

The growth of the railway poses the question of how to fund new lines, especially in light of the amounts at stake. Alternative methods, such as public private partnerships (PPP), have a part to play in cost management and the mobilisation of the required funding.

New decisions need to be taken and new sources of funding need to be investigated in order to deliver on the Government’s promises, which involve a renovation plan and programme of new lines to be completed by 2020.

The decision to allocate 60% of the AFITF (French Transport Infrastructure Financing Agency) budget to non-highway related projects is part of this approach. 
We have also put forward a proposal for a "Sustainable Development" tax, wherein modes of transport would be taxed based on their carbon dioxide emissions.
 

Always listening to the public, the company promotes open dialogue throughout its projects and provides funding for facilities to improve the accessibility, safety and reliability of the network, in the aim of meeting the changing transport requirements of our society.