Rail carbon dioxide emissions worldwide 2010-2022

Global direct carbon dioxide emissions from rail totaled 94.6 million metric tons (MtCO₂) in 2022. Rail is the least carbon intensive mode of transportation, and accounted for just one percent of global transportation CO₂ emissions in 2022. Although rail emissions have increased since 2020, they remain well below the pre-pandemic peak of 104 MtCO₂ recorded in 2019. Under the Net Zero Scenario, rail emissions will need to drop to 63 MtCO₂ by 2030, which will require the increased electrification of the sector.