To ensure CO2 is calculated for individual rail journeys, Inntel use the latest DEFRA CO2 figures along with calculated mileages for your journey.
Which CO2 values are used?
The current CO2 figures are from the DEFRA website, specifically we use the following:
Activity Type |
kg CO2 |
|---|---|
| National Rail per km | 0.03659 |
| Average Car per km | 0.1666 |
| Regular Taxi per km | 0.14418 |
How are rail distances calculated?
We calculate the distance travelled for rail journeys based on the stations’ location using an “as the crow flies” calculation. Where multiple legs are involved in a journey, this calculation is carried out for each leg of the journey to ensure the figures reflect the route taken.
How are comparisons to Car CO2 emissions made?
Where we compare the CO2 usage for rail and car transport, we use the same milage calculation for both journeys, then apply the CO2 per km figures shown above. While we cannot compare road and rail distance exactly, the figures give a good rule of thumb to highlight the impact of road travel. We always assume one passenger per car.
Do you have an example?
A rail journey from Rugby to Stafford via Birmingham New Street:
- Leg 1 from Rugby to Birmingham New Street is 31 miles (49.87km)
- Leg 2 from Birmingham New Street to Stafford is 28 miles (45.05 km)
- Total journey distance is 59 Miles (94.92 km)
- CO2 per km is 0.03659
- Giving 3.473 kg CO2 for the Rail Journey
The equivalent Car journey for comparison would equate to 15.81kg CO2 (94.92km x 0.1666 KgCO2 per km).