Hitachi Rail has become the world’s first train manufacturer to attain the rigorous PAS 2080 carbon reduction standard for the design, manufacture, and operation of the 100% electric HS2 fleet.

The British Institute of Standard (BSI) was able to award the verification of Hitachi Rail’s whole-life carbon analysis of the fleet, which includes assessment of carbon management or reduction during design, procurement, manufacturing and operations.

CO2 emissions per passengers of the train will be 90% lower than taking the journey by car or plane. This was concluded by the life cycle analysis of the train and these emission savings will reduce further as the UK electricity grid decarbonises.

Luca D’Aquila, Chief Operating Officer, Hitachi Rail Group, said: “HS2 trains have gone through a design process of unparalleled rigour – becoming more aerodynamic, more energy-efficient, lighter, leaner, and greener.

“The PAS 2080 accreditation is recognition of our dedicated approach, and it is an approach that we will continue to roll out on projects around the world as part of our commitment to be a climate change innovator.”

Hitachi Rail will apply the lessons learned to future rolling stock projects, raising standards across the global rolling stock market.

New targets for COP26 set up by the Hitachi Group are aims to achieve carbon neutrality throughout its entire value chain by 2050 in addition to commitments towards carbon neutrality across all of their business sites by 2030.