The global railway network, a colossal system stretching 1.17 million kilometres—enough to circle the Earth 29 times—is poised to be the cornerstone of the United Nations' upcoming Decade of Sustainable Transport. This is the central finding of the 2024 Global Rail Sustainability Report released by the International Union of Railways (UIC). The report positions rail as the critical mobility system for the future, underpinning efforts to meet global sustainability targets.
A Network of Immense Scale and Efficiency
According to the freshly unveiled data, the world's railways saw a 7.6 per cent expansion between 2004 and 2023. This vast network currently handles six per cent of all inland passenger travel and a substantial 38 per cent of worldwide inland freight movement. The report makes a compelling environmental case for rail, showing it accounts for a mere two per cent of the total external costs of transport, such as pollution, accidents, and noise. In stark contrast, road transport is responsible for 98 per cent of these negative impacts.
The efficiency gap is dramatic. The average external cost per passenger-kilometre for a private car is 17 times higher than for high-speed rail. Railways also demonstrate superior land use, requiring only about seven square metres per passenger compared to 100 square metres for cars. This data solidifies the rail network's role as a central component of the UN initiative set to run from 2026 to 2035.
Regional Leaders and Laggards in Rail Development
The report provides a detailed regional breakdown, revealing clear leaders in rail development and use. The Asia-Pacific region holds the largest share of global railway lines at 38.2 per cent, driven primarily by massive networks in India and China. This region also dominates passenger movement, carrying a staggering 82.8 per cent of global rail passengers in 2023. China led with 1,472 billion passenger-kilometres, followed by India (959 billion) and Japan (394 billion).
In terms of freight, Asia-Pacific moved 67.9 per cent of the global total. While Japan leads the world in passenger efficiency with over 180 train journeys per person annually, European nations like Switzerland (68 trips) and Luxembourg (43) also show high usage. Conversely, rail use in Africa, Central Asia, and the Americas often falls below one trip per person per year.
The United States continues to focus overwhelmingly on freight, moving 2,155 billion tonne-kilometres, though rail's share of the US freight model fell from 44 per cent to 39 per cent. Europe has significantly increased investment, with rail's share of total inland transport spending jumping from 34 per cent in 2009 to 45 per cent in 2023.
The Sustainability Champion and Future Pathways
Rail stands out as the undisputed champion of low-emission transport. Despite carrying seven per cent of global passenger-kilometres and six per cent of freight, it contributes only about one per cent of total transport emissions. The report cites progress, such as European rail CO2 emissions falling by 58 per cent since 2005, already surpassing the 2030 target.
It highlights global best practices aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals, including initiatives for gender equality and clean energy. Examples range from the East Japan Railway's accessibility efforts to Indian Railways' large-scale scrap management program. The report specifically notes Indian Railways' progress toward full electrification and its experimentation with hydrogen-powered trains.
However, challenges remain. Rail's share of global infrastructure investment dipped to 25 per cent in 2023, partly due to market maturation in China. Africa, with 22 per cent of the world's landmass, possesses only 7-8 per cent of the rail market, with a density far below the global average. In contrast, the Middle East, though starting from a small base, is the fastest-growing network, recording 40 per cent growth since 2004.
The UIC report concludes that rail is not just a backbone but a catalyst for climate action and inclusive growth. It calls for the current momentum in sustainable rail development to accelerate further to meet the ambitious goals of the coming decade.
