Greater Anglia encourages train use on transport day at COP26
The East of England rail operator has replaced their ageing fleet with new trains that are more energy efficient.
The major topic at today's COP26 events will be sustainability in transport. The sector is currently one of the largest emitters of carbon.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is due to return to the summit to make a "final push" for progress on climate talks.
Various transport commitments are expected to be made, with the Government requiring all new HGVs to be zero emissions by 2040.
There's also expected to be announcements on electric vehicle charging points, and further talks on the use of e-scooters with trials proving popular in the UK.
We caught up with train operator Greater Anglia ahead of transport day - it currently services Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire.
Juliette Maxam, from the company, told us: "For many years, we've been working to improve our environmental performance, whether that is reducing our carbon emissions or taking an interest in protecting bio-diversity, which is as big an issue as climate change."
They hope their new fleet of more eco-friendly trains will help them cut emissions further, with features like regenerative braking and adaptive lighting and cooling systems which will make them more energy efficient. Ms Maxam says the new trains will also be longer and once operational, each such train, if full, could remove up to 725 cars off the road.
The old diesel-only trains have been swapped out for locomotives which can switch between electric and diesel whenever needed.
"Let's say you're travelling from Norwich to Cambridge. When you reach Ely, where the line becomes electric, the pantograph (which connects the train to the line) automatically engages and runs on electricity", she adds. Because these trains will be used for the next 40-45 years, they have also taken steps to future proof them so that they can run on batteries when the technology permits.
"91 percent of carbon emissions caused by transport is caused by road travel. But rail commute, causes only 1.4 percent of emissions. We would encourage people to swap their cars and switch to trains. It's much more pleasant than sitting in traffic and much better for the environment", she adds.
While important decisions are expected to be taken at COP26, Ms Maxam hopes the urgency that has so far been communicated from the conference will translate to people taking action in their daily life.
"We have a good public transport system in this country. East Anglia is well served by trains and buses.
"But all too often we see empty buses and empty trains. Lets fill them up and use them more often, and do our bit to help the environment."