Environment
At VR, we have been working consistently to reduce emissions. We’ve increased electric traction, introduced energy-efficient rolling stock, and expanded train sizes to improve efficiency.
Each year, over 15 million long-distance journeys are made with us in Finland – and up to 97% of these are powered by fossil-free electricity. We also transport over 20 million tonnes of freight by rail annually, which makes further improvements in energy efficiency a key focus area for ensuring sustainable transport.
In addition to fossil-free electricity, rail transport’s low emissions and energy efficiency are based on its ability to carry large volumes of passengers or goods at once. This means less energy consumption and fewer emissions per person or shipment. Electric trains also convert energy into motion more efficiently than combustion engines and feed braking energy back into the grid.
VR’s goal is to achieve net zero emissions by 2040 and to halve emissions by 2032.
VR's environmental goals
Although we are already a low-emission choice, we want to do even more for the environment. That’s why we’ve set ambitious environment targets for the entire VR Group as part of our sustainability agenda.
VR aims to reach net zero emissions by 2040 and to halve emissions by 2032, aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative. We work closely with our partners to reduce emissions across the entire value chain.
VR aims to improve energy efficiency in electric rail transport in Finland by 18% by 2027, compared to 2022 levels.
We also strive to enhance material efficiency by increasing our company-wide recycling rate to 80% and engaging our supply chain in continuous environmental improvement.
