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.
Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from rail worldwide from 2010 to 2022
(in million metric tons)
Characteristic
Emissions in MtCO₂
2010
86.04
2011
96.35
2012
91.42
2013
91.79
2014
90.81
2015
91.35
2016
89.87
2017
91.86
2018
101.93
2019
103.38
2020
85.62
2021
92.07
2022
94.64
Created with Highcharts 7.2.2Emissions in MtCO₂86.0486.0496.3596.3591.4291.4291.7991.7990.8190.8191.3591.3589.8789.8791.8691.86101.93101.93103.38103.3885.6285.6292.0792.0794.6494.6463.2263.22201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024202520262027202820292030 NZE scenario
60708090100110
Add this content to your personal favorites. These can be accessed from the favorites menu in the main navigation.
You have no right to use this feature.
Make sure to contact us if you are interested in scientific citation.
You can upgrade your account to enable this functionality for all statistics.
This feature is not available with your current account.Request access
Learn more about how Statista can support your business.
IEA. (July 11, 2023). Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from rail worldwide from 2010 to 2022 (in million metric tons) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved January 04, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1414708/carbon-dioxide-emissions-rail-worldwide/
IEA. "Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from rail worldwide from 2010 to 2022 (in million metric tons)." Chart. July 11, 2023. Statista. Accessed January 04, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1414708/carbon-dioxide-emissions-rail-worldwide/
IEA. (2023). Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from rail worldwide from 2010 to 2022 (in million metric tons). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: January 04, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1414708/carbon-dioxide-emissions-rail-worldwide/
IEA. "Carbon Dioxide (Co₂) Emissions from Rail Worldwide from 2010 to 2022 (in Million Metric Tons)." Statista, Statista Inc., 11 Jul 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1414708/carbon-dioxide-emissions-rail-worldwide/
IEA, Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from rail worldwide from 2010 to 2022 (in million metric tons) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1414708/carbon-dioxide-emissions-rail-worldwide/ (last visited January 04, 2025)
Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from rail worldwide from 2010 to 2022 (in million metric tons) [Graph], IEA, July 11, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1414708/carbon-dioxide-emissions-rail-worldwide/
Profit from additional features with an Employee Account
Please create an employee account to be able to mark statistics as favorites.
Then you can access your favorite statistics via the star in the header.
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.