The ticket booking site Trainline has gained official approval for ambitious science-based net zero targets as part of its commitment to help limit the rise in global temperatures.

Trainline’s commitments were officially verified by Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), a global body that enables businesses to set ambitious targets for reducing emissions in line with climate science.

The approval sees Trainline become one of the first 100 UK-based companies and around 550 global businesses whose net-zero targets have been approved by SBTi.

Trainline’s commitments include:

• Reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.
• Reducing absolute scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 55.2% by 2030 from those in 2020.
• Requiring 80% of its suppliers by spend on purchased goods and services to have science-based targets by 2028.
• Reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions and absolute scope 3 GHG greenhouse gas emissions 90% by 2040 from 2020 figures.

Trainline has three key priorities for driving positive change and reducing emissions in the transport sector:

Measure & Reduce:

• Accelerate reduction of scope 1 and 2 emissions through renewable electricity and lower-carbon gas alternatives.
  in the short- to medium term, focus on supplier engagement to ensure suppliers remain committed to reducing the emissions of their products.
• Work with key suppliers to develop bespoke activity-based models and lifecycle assessments to improve emissions measurement, such as digital marketing.

Educate & Inform

• Empower people to make greener travel choices through Trainline’s products and data.
• Provide personalised carbon dashboards that how the CO2 emissions saved by taking the train instead of driving to help people understand the impact of their travel.

Influence & Change

• Celebrate and build greater public awareness of the environmental benefits of rail travel. Trainline initiated an “I came by train” movement, which aims to increase the number of people choosing to travel by train, supporting the UK Climate Change Committee’s targets for a 30% increase in passenger rail travel by 2035.
• Make rail travel simpler and more seamless; average savings of 35% are achieved through Trainline’s SplitSave product, Advance tickets and digital Railcards.

Pete Wood, Chief Financial Officer of Trainline, said: “We promote rail and its credentials as a greener travel choice than car or plane, so that means we must also lead by example when it comes to the environmental impact of our own business. We have committed to net zero through these science-based targets to show we are determined to substantially reduce our carbon emissions, and to play our part in addressing the climate change challenge facing society.”