being a demanding eco-owner

For Réseau Ferré de France, being an eco-owner means obtaining a positive result concerning rail transport environmental benefits and impacts, and working towards improving this result.

Managing the network responsibly means first better knowing its impacts, then collectively being responsible for adjustments. Managing the network sustainably also means having a proactive policy concerning risk management and environmental impacts, in all business areas.

 

Among the many environmental challenges, waste, pollution control of electric transformers and the use of phytosanitary products for weed control are particularly important to Réseau Ferré de France.

In the field of waste, we have become aware of the dangers of wooden sleepers impregnated with creosote. As a precaution, we have forbidden any sale of end of life sleepers.

The electrification of the network leads us to dispose of a large pool of electrical transformers. In accordance with the Ministry of Ecology, we started in 2003 a plan to eliminate polychlorinated biphenyls, which were used in the electrical industry for their isolation qualities.

Réseau Ferré de France has also launched in 2009 two pilot operations to test infrastructure technical solutions that limit vegetation growth. In addition, reflections on technical alternatives to chemical treatments were launched in 2009. The first results are expected by 2011.

 

The rail industry adequately meets the requirements of sustainable development, in particular the requirement to limit greenhouse gas emissions. By giving priority to rail investments, the "Environment Round Table" recognised the prominent role of the rail industry in the emergence of a more ecological transport system.

For Réseau Ferré de France, the "carbon benefit" has become a criteria in itself for assessing infrastructure projects; it assesses the level of response of a technical solution to a new requirement of the community.
The assessment of greenhouse gas emissions is also a production aid tool. Based on the initial overall carbon assessment made in 2009 of the high speed Rhine-Rhone line Eastern branch, we have established a method to reduce CO2 emissions linked to the construction of the infrastructure. First, the main stations in the works responsible for emissions must be identified, then construction methods are adapted in order to reduce the carbon footprint.

Since early 2009, over ten rail carbon assessments have begun, in particular for the large projects in the upstream study phase and for large regional projects.

 

Currently being deployed in the industrial activity, the assessment of greenhouse gas emissions also concerns the daily activity of Réseau Ferré de France. In 2009, we have thus conducted the first phase in the carbon assessment (bilan carbone®) of our functional activity, in order to make sure that the ecological priority and the necessity for moderation in respect of natural resources are complied with. This assessment, conducted at head offices and in 5 regional offices, totals 5,830 tons of CO2 equivalent for 2008.

To follow up this assessment, an action plan is being deployed to limit the carbon footprint of the company. It concerns travel for instance, with the installation of a video-conference system at the end of 2009, and support for company travel plans (PDE) towards the regions.

Réseau Ferré de France aims to be an example for its operation by deploying since 2005 an eco-responsible action plan for all aspects of its operation: travel, buildings, energy, purchases and supplies, waste, training.