Environment
Rail transport is an energy-efficient and low-emission mode of transportation – and therefore plays a crucial role in efforts to mitigate climate change. By increasing the popularity of rail travel, we can reduce emissions for our customers and society as a whole. Additionally, the electrification of bus transport - where VR has been a pioneer - can further help reduce traffic emissions.
At VR, we have been working consistently to reduce emissions. For example, we have increased electric traction, introduced energy-efficient rolling stock, and expanded train sizes.
Our rail transport has been mostly electric for decades. 95% of our passenger train traffic in Finland and 100% in Sweden runs on fossil-free electricity. In railway logistics, the share of electric traction is 85%. In Finland, the non-electrified parts of the railway network limit the adoption of electric traction – only about half of the railway network is electrified. Further development of energy efficiency is an important development target to ensure sustainable transport.
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 goals for the entire VR as part of our Sustainability Agenda.
VR’s goal is to achieve net zero emissions by 2040 and halve emissions by 2032, in line with the Science Based Targets initiative. We work together with our partners to reduce emissions throughout the value chain.
In addition, the goal is to increase energy efficiency by 18% in electric train operations in Finland by 2027 compared to the 2022 level.
We aim to improve material efficiency by raising the company’s recycling rate to 80% and engaging the supply chain in continuous improvement of environmental matters.
You can read more about the achievement of previous 2021–2025 environmental targets in our 2025 CSRD report.
