{"id":12922,"date":"2016-11-04T17:32:08","date_gmt":"2016-11-04T21:32:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digital.hbs.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/are-you-too-late-to-take-the-climate-train\/"},"modified":"2016-11-04T17:32:08","modified_gmt":"2016-11-04T21:32:08","slug":"light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel-sncf-wont-miss-the-climate-change-train","status":"publish","type":"hck-submission","link":"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel-sncf-wont-miss-the-climate-change-train\/","title":{"rendered":"Light at the end of the tunnel \u2013 SNCF won\u2019t miss the climate change train"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"xkcd\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>SNCF is the French national railway company split between operator and network owner. This sizeable business employs around 250,000 people and generates ~\u20ac30bn of sales (70% in France). SNCF moves 1.1bn passengers (5m per day) and 20bn ton-kilometer freight each year. [1]<\/a>\u00a0SNCF operates the absolute fastest wheeled<\/em> train [2]<\/a>\u00a0but also a fraction of diesel trains and coaches. French law requires state-owned enterprises to calculate their greenhouse gas footprint; SNCF uses this as a benchmark to become the transport of choice.<\/p>\n

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At first glance, rail seems to be the best in class transport<\/strong> with regards to greenhouse gases emissions (after sailing!).<\/p>\n

Although rail accounts for 10%+ of France\u2019s passenger and freight transport, it emits less than 1% of transport-related CO2. SNCF operates a 30,000kms network (50% electrified). Electric lines account for ~90% of passenger and freight transport. Electric trains generate 10x less emissions than car and 20x less than plane. In a nutshell train transport is the greenest transport solution assuming reasonable electricity input sources. This is particularly true as French trains are atom powered! 75%[3]<\/a> of French electricity is generated from nuclear power, the highest level in the world resulting from an independent energy policy. This direct link to the grid allows for unique flexibility as trains are compatible with all renewable energies<\/strong>: wind, solar, biomass, tide, nuclear (fusion?)\u2026<\/p>\n

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\"Best<\/a>
Railway transport is the mode of transport which emits the lowest level of greenhouse gases (source: RFF 2009 \u2013 Aiming for a Sustainable Network\/ Strategic Orientations 2008-2012)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SNCF seems uniquely positioned to take advantage of climate change <\/strong>with increasing regulations, costs and social awareness. Its vision pictures a railway backbone leveraging efficiency. How SNCF positions itself as a winner?<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to do absolutely everything apart from planes\u201d<\/em> says its CEO[4]<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For passengers, SNCF plays on seduction and convenience<\/strong>. For instance, each ticket indicates CO2 emission showcasing the advantage of environment friendly collective rail travel. For convenience, all tickets and booking are mobile based. Taxi and car-sharing are pre-booked as part of Door-to-Door solution. This also means that local trains become more important than the historical TGV darling (the efficient long distance high speed champion). But speed still matters for overall efficiency[5]<\/a>. Trains can also carry your car to the French Riviera so that you can cruise along the Mediterranean while avoiding traffic.<\/p>\n

For freight, SNCF uses costs and last mile integrated solution. <\/strong>Some routes are optimized to have transport trucks mounted on trains saving time, fuel and CO2 (60kt CO2 p.a.). Logistics centers are set near city stations coupled with low emissions last mile delivery solutions. The continuous network optimization and increase of train capacity (length & speed) allows increasing offering to freight providers.<\/p>\n

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But climate change also comes with challenges<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"Feeling<\/a>
Year on Year change in average temperature in France (MeteoFrance)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The main one comes from weather stress on networks<\/strong>. France temperature rose 1\u00b0C[6]<\/a> over last century. French weather pattern started showing more extreme events (thunderstorms, snow, floods) and more temperature variability, this puts pressure on 30,000kms of tracks, 27,000 bridges, 15000 trains per day[7]<\/a>. So the track network needs to be monitored and maintained at a higher cost. To address weather variability SNCF reviewed its approach to focus on[8]<\/a>:<\/p>\n