Network Rail’s Commercial and Procurement team has reached an important milestone in partnering with suppliers to tackle climate change by securing commitments from 50% of suppliers to join the Science Based Targets initiative to reduce their carbon footprint.

Science Based Targets are a key part of Network Rail's Environmental Sustainability Strategy to deliver a cleaner, greener railway. 

These are independently verified plans to reduce carbon emissions to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius to mitigate the worst effects of climate change. 

Network Rail was the first railway infrastructure body in the world to adopt science-based targets to this level.

Around 97% of Network Rail's emissions are within 'scope three', meaning emissions largely come from third parties, including suppliers. 

To address this, Network Rail’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy includes a target for 75% of suppliers to have their own science-based targets by 2025.

The C&P supplier management team has worked alongside transport industry partners to deliver workshops throughout 2021 showing suppliers how to commit to science-based targets and the benefits of doing so by sharing industry best practice and ideas for cutting carbon.

Three workshops have been delivered so far, with each one being attended by over 350 people from the transport sector and supply chain.