Choose rail and reach your climate goals with sustainable freight transport

The transport sector in changing times

In these times, many companies are experiencing major challenges in meeting their climate targets due to changing fuel prices and global crises affecting society at large. Our analysis is that there has never been a better time for companies to switch to sustainable freight transport and thus primarily rail-based transport for their goods. The reason is that we cannot actually know for sure whether economic fluctuations and global crises will cease in the foreseeable future. At the same time, according to the Paris Agreement, Sweden is to achieve stated climate targets, which means that greenhouse gas emissions from domestic transport will be reduced by at least 70% by 2030 compared to 2010[1].

This leads us to the view that rail transport is a more stable transport solution, and thus more sustainable, both from an economic and a sustainability perspective.

Sustainable door-to-door freight transport

What we find is that transport buyers have difficulty finding a supplier who can deliver a complete solution in an environmentally friendly way. In order to reduce administration and keep a good cost picture, most are looking for a supplier who can provide a door-to-door solution. For those companies that transport larger volumes, Essinge Rail can be an excellent option for customers who require just that. Thanks to our transport management system, everyone can track their orders in real time. There is no need for special shipping or consignment note numbers, just your own order number. We will provide you with a login ID and password. See the current location in plain text or zoom in on the map of Europe. All this is made possible by the fact that all wagons are equipped with GPS transmitters.

We are proud of our environmental profile and would say that the vast majority of new customers save both money and make great environmental gains by starting with sustainable freight transport via Essinge Rail.

An example of this is that our transport generally emits 90% less CO2 than road transport[2].

Train or truck transport?

There is no longer any discussion regarding the advantages of rail versus truck from an environmental point of view. What indicates that trucks are still a sustainable mode of transportation is for shorter distances and in combination with environmentally friendly fuels such as HVO-100, which Essinge Rail uses. Or of course the even better alternative, electrically powered trucks. It is undoubtedly positive that trucking as an industry is undergoing a transition to a more green method of transportation. However, today it is not as fast as many had hoped, and rail will always be a faster, safer and more cost-effective way to transport heavy objects over longer distances.

Sustainable freight transport is the future

Since transportation accounts for 30% of Sweden's C02 emissions, it is a crucial factor in our common challenge towards a more sustainable society.[3] Of the thirty percent, cars and heavy vehicles account for most of the emissions. As a company, making a conscious transition to a combination of electric train transport and environmentally friendly truck transport provides direct environmental benefits. You show that your company takes responsibility for the environment and society, and the best part is that it doesn't have to cost more than your current solutions. What we find is that, in most cases, the opposite is true. Either all at once or over time.

We at Essinge Rail are always very careful to present a complete economic and environmental plan to our partners. We are committed to the environment and want to work with companies that share that view. Finally, we have arranged for all our customers to receive a statement of CO2 emissions for each individual transport order in the invoice. The figure is in kg.

EcoVadis and our environmental commitment

In 2021, Essinge Rail was awarded a silver medal by the prestigious rating agency EcoVadis, confirming our persistent commitment to sustainable and environmentally friendly freight transportation. This success is particularly noteworthy as we have not only maintained our high rating from previous years, but have also increased our rating despite increased demands. EcoVadis, an institute with the vision of integrating sustainability aspects into corporate decision-making, has evaluated no less than 90,000 companies in 2021. Essinge Rail was part of the exclusive group of the 18% best-rated companies in all categories. In the category of environmental work, we ended up among the 4% most sustainable companies.

The latest results from the 2023 survey speak for themselves. With a total score of 69 out of 100 possible, Essinge Rail has risen to the top 7% in all categories among all participating companies. In the area of the environment, we achieve a score of 70. Similarly, we have achieved a score of 70 in human rights and ethics. With a resolute focus on continuous improvement, we are determined to raise the bar and achieve even higher scores in all areas.

A positive difference

EcoVadis focuses on four critical areas: environment, human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement. Essinge Rail has shown outstanding commitment in each area and this has resulted in noticeable differences in the company's rating in a very short time. It is worth noting that EcoVadis evaluates companies not only to recognize their efforts, but also to push them towards further development and sustainability. Essinge Rail accepts this challenge with open arms and does not want to be just a passive participant, but we are constantly working to strengthen our position as a leading player in sustainable freight transport. For more detailed information about EcoVadis and their work, you can visit their official website at ecovadis.com. Here you can also discover how other companies and organizations around the world are striving to make a positive difference and create a better world for future generations.

Switch to sustainable freight transport

There are many reasons to choose rail as a primary transportation solution. But one of the biggest reasons is that companies that prioritize sustainability gain growth and goodwill from it. Our society is undergoing an electrification of the vehicle fleet, and sustainability is high on the list of priorities for both individuals and companies, but especially for decision-makers. Policies are investing in rail and subsidizing rail transport. At the same time, charges for fossil-based transport are planned. The trend is clear - sustainable transport is the future.

When choosing new partners, there are now clear incentives to choose the more environmentally conscious company. We have helped several well-known and global companies in their journey towards more environmentally friendly transportation.

Contact us at Essinge Rail and we'll help you reach your climate goals.

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Our commitment to climate and sustainability

• EcoVadis Silver Medal, read more
• Affiliated to Fair Transport according to added value level 2, read more
• Affiliated with the Science Based Targets initiative for scientifically measurable climate targets that comply with the Paris Agreement, read more