FIF and SNCF publish a white paper on decarbonising rail transport

Press release PRESS CONTACT +33 (0)1 85 07 89 89 @GroupeSNCF servicedepresse@sncf.fr FIF PRESS CONTACT +33 (0)6 59 40 33 96 mlatombe@fif.asso.fr The French Railway Industry Association and SNCF publish their white paper " Decarbonising transport in France: the voice of rail" to promote the sector's ambitions Saint-Denis, 5 October 2023 § The French Railway Industry Association (FIF), which brings together more than 300 companies representing all rail activities, and SNCF publish their white paper "Decarbonising transport in France: the voice of rail". § Born of a shared determination by FIF and SNCF to make the voice of the rail sector heard, this white paper embodies the sector's players' commitment to the ecological transition. § It presents the ambitions, actions and best practices deployed by the rail sector to accelerate its decarbonisation, mobilise all of its stakeholders and commit to concrete pledges. § In order to present this white paper, FIF and SNCF organised a forum on 5 October, inviting key industry players, experts, policymakers and company representatives, with the aim of discussing the challenges and opportunities linked to reducing carbon emissions in the rail sector. The rail sector, a major player in the ecological transition and the economic development of the regions As part of the fight against global warming, France defined in 2015 a national low-carbon strategy aiming to achieve carbon neutrality in the Press release PRESS CONTACT +33 (0)1 85 07 89 89 @GroupeSNCF servicedepresse@sncf.fr FIF PRESS CONTACT +33 (0)6 59 40 33 96 mlatombe@fif.asso.fr country by 2050. The public transport sector, of which rail forms the backbone, plays a central role in this strategy, notably through its ambition to increase the modal share of public transport in the journeys made by French people, and thereby help reduce greenhouse gas emissions1. Since 2019, this ambition has been supported by the Mobility Orientation Act (LOM), which comprises four major objectives: providing everyone, across the whole territory, with alternative solutions to individual car use; developing new mobility solutions; reducing the environmental footprint of transport; and investing more (a 40% increase in investment) in infrastructure that improves everyday transport. Over the coming years, this ambition will be able to benefit from the support of the new rail deal, announced in February 2023 by the government, one of whose objectives will be to strengthen the development of rail services. Rail is currently the most environmentally friendly high-capacity mode of transport. Its low energy consumption, its predominantly electric power supply, the service life of its rolling stock, and its 95% recyclability rate make it the transport solution of the future for France. More broadly, the rail sector contributes to the economic development of the whole territory. For example, 97% of purchases made by SNCF, which represent an annual volume of more than €12 billion, are made from French companies (more than 18,000 companies concerned in 2021), and more than 247,000 indirect jobs in France, or 0.9% of employment, have been supported by the sector. A white paper embodying the sector's mobilisation It is in this context that FIF and SNCF are publishing their white paper, intended to highlight the economic and territorial value of the rail sector and to embody the modal shift policy. In this white paper, a first natural challenge is identified: developing the use of the train as the preferred mode of transport, for passengers as well as for freight shippers. Two prerequisites are thus highlighted: 1 Rail accounts for 0.3% of transport greenhouse gas emissions in France (0.1% of total national emissions), while it represents around 10% of the modal share. Press release PRESS CONTACT +33 (0)1 85 07 89 89 @GroupeSNCF servicedepresse@sncf.fr FIF PRESS CONTACT +33 (0)6 59 40 33 96 mlatombe@fif.asso.fr - increasing the capacity and productivity of the network, which must translate into addressing "rail bottlenecks" (sections of the rail network where a large number of trains converge) - developing and improving services as illustrated by comfort, services tailored to fine-grained regional lines, price competitiveness, frequency, timetabling and train punctuality. The white paper concretely illustrates several examples of actions carried out by the sector and SNCF, structured around four themes: improving the energy and environmental performance of rolling stock and rail systems, improving infrastructure, improving the performance of its buildings, and mobilising the ecosystem, including manufacturers. Lastly, to accelerate its decarbonisation, the sector also intends to make two major commitments: - establishing governance for decarbonisation, with the upcoming creation of a steering committee dedicated to decarbonisation actions, co-chaired by FIF and SNCF and bringing together the sector's major manufacturers as well as major operators. This steering committee's mission will be to: o help and encourage the completion of greenhouse gas emissions assessments by the vast majority of sector players by 2025, or at the very least to measure the carbon footprint of the products supplied o support and promote the implementation of decarbonisation action plans and ensure progress on these actions is monitored. - defining a decarbonisation roadmap for the sector, which will set out the decarbonisation trajectory and greenhouse gas reduction targets. Jean-Pierre Farandou, Chairman and CEO of SNCF: "While rail is virtuous thanks to its use of decarbonised energy, the whole rail sector must step up its efforts to reduce its emissions. 'Your carbon is my carbon' could be the slogan that has mobilised SNCF and FIF to share the solutions gathered in the white paper we are presenting on the occasion of this decarbonisation forum. I thank Louis Nègre, Chairman of FIF, and all the contributors who are mobilising to reduce their carbon footprint and make rail an ever more virtuous sector. SNCF, which works hard to keep improving, particularly in the areas of construction and recycling, has a major role as a lead customer for the sector, with more than €13 billion in annual purchases. So, all together, gathered on the occasion of this forum Press release PRESS CONTACT +33 (0)1 85 07 89 89 @GroupeSNCF servicedepresse@sncf.fr FIF PRESS CONTACT +33 (0)6 59 40 33 96 mlatombe@fif.asso.fr rich in shared experience, we form Team France for rail, which is accelerating its decarbonisation." Louis Nègre, Chairman of FIF: "Decarbonising the rail sector is a crucial mission, an essential path towards a more sustainable future for our planet. As Chairman of the French Railway Industry Association, I am convinced that we, industry players in the sector, along with all the sector's stakeholders, have a fundamental role to play in this transformation. The rails that cross our country are not merely transport routes; they are the arteries of cleaner, more environmentally respectful mobility. We are witnessing a genuine revolution under way, in which technological innovation is combining with ecological awareness. Innovative rolling stock, eco- responsible infrastructure, and renewable energy are emerging as the pillars of a new rail era. And it is with immense pride that we note the many initiatives being taken within our sector to advance this vital cause. We know that the path towards a decarbonised rail sector is strewn with challenges, but it is also lined with opportunities. Our ability to act in this direction shows that the rail industry is not only an essential economic player, but also an indispensable partner for a greener and more sustainable future for all." Press release PRESS CONTACT +33 (0)1 85 07 89 89 @GroupeSNCF servicedepresse@sncf.fr FIF PRESS CONTACT +33 (0)6 59 40 33 96 mlatombe@fif.asso.fr About FIF: The French Railway Industry Association (FIF) brings together 83 direct members and more than 600 indirect members through its clusters. The rail industry generates annual revenue of more than €4 billion on French territory and through exports. FIF brings together all French rail manufacturers through groupings of its various trades: rolling stock manufacturers, rail equipment suppliers, track and signalling manufacturers, a digital technologies group, and a group covering maintenance, retrofitting and modernisation. Recognised by both public authorities and by all users, players and decision-makers in the rail system, FIF is representative of rail industry companies in France. Its core missions help establish a framework and favourable conditions for value creation within the French rail industry. FIF thus works actively to support the development and growth of the rail industry About SNCF: The SNCF group is one of the world's leading players in passenger transport and freight logistics, including management of the French rail network, generating €41.4 billion in revenue in 2022, of which nearly 40% internationally. Present in more than 60 countries and covering a commercial network of 168 countries in total, the Group employs 276,000 staff, nearly 210,000 of them in France, with more than half serving its core rail business. The Group is led by SNCF Holding, which owns five companies: SNCF Réseau (management, operation and maintenance of the French rail network, rail engineering) and its subsidiary SNCF Gares & Connexions (design, operation and commercial management of stations), SNCF Voyageurs (Transilien, TER and Intercités, TGV InOUI, OUIGO, Eurostar-Thalys, Alleo, Lyria and distribution via SNCF Connect), Keolis (operator of urban, suburban and regional public transport in France and worldwide), Rail Logistics Europe (rail freight transport) and Geodis (logistics and freight transport solutions). Alongside its customers (passengers, local authorities, shippers, as well as rail companies with regard to SNCF Réseau) at the heart of the regions, the Group draws on its expertise across every component of rail, and more broadly across the full range of transport services, in order to act for a society that is united and sustainable on the move. For more information, visit www.sncf.com