6. Conclusion and Recommendations

Decarbonizing rail freight should not be viewed as a constraint, but as a strategic opportunity. Admittedly, its direct impact on the transportation sector’s overall emissions remains limited, as rail is already one of the most low-carbon modes of transport. Nevertheless, this transition is of major importance for several reasons: it makes it possible to further reduce negative externalities (noise, air quality, public health, energy dependence), strengthen rail’s environmental competitiveness relative to other modes, and stimulate industrial innovation within the rail industry.

It is a powerful driver of transformation for the sector, with tangible benefits on several levels.

The primary benefit is, of course, a reduction in environmental pollution. Less diesel means less noise, fewer particulates, and lower NOx emissions. This directly...