<
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/article/2024/jul/15/freight-operators-will-buy-new-diesel-trains-if-governments-dont-back-green-alternatives-industry-says>
"The future of Australian rail freight is at a “critical juncture”, the
industry says.
Transporting cargo generally relies on diesel-powered trains, and with no plans
on the horizon to electrify the vast sections of tracks connecting Australia’s
largest cities, the sector is worried operators will have little choice but to
reinvest in diesel locomotives, ultimately harming its ability to decarbonise
in coming decades.
The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) is launching a report on potential
decarbonisation on Monday.
That report, developed by engineering consultancy GHD, says there has been a
lack of planning from those in charge of rail infrastructure. It says without
action, the rail freight sector could lose further ground to trucking, putting
it at odds with Australia’s climate target commitments.
Sending freight by rail is now a competitively sustainable option – generating
up to 16 times fewer emissions than trucks and being only slightly less clean
than domestic shipping. But this edge could disappear if the industry and
governments don’t commit to a decarbonisation plan while the rest of the
economy and transport sector pursues that path."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
