Environment

Operating in a socially and environmentally responsible way is a huge part of our vision. Learn more about Southeastern's commitment to the environment

landscape of a forest with the sun shining through the tress

Our commitment to becoming a more sustainable railway

We're embarking on transformative plans to reduce carbon emissions, enhance our resilience to climate change, and to create lasting value for our colleagues and communities. Our trains are more than just a journey – they connect communities to opportunities and can help to take cars off roads. We are focused on being an integral part of a more sustainable region.

Our new Sustainability Strategy

Operating in a socially and environmentally responsible way is important to us. This is why we have developed our new Sustainability Strategy, which reflects our commitment to work towards a more sustainable future for the UK rail industry. In alignment with the Rail Safety and Standards Board's Sustainable Rail Blueprint, we prioritize environmental protection, emissions reduction, and enhancing social value. Join us in co-creating this future with colleagues, communities, our supply chain, and the wider rail industry.

Southeastern's Sustainability Strategy Wheel

Emissions Strategy Wheel

Emissions

Natural Environment Strategy Wheel

Natural Environment

Social Sustainability Strategy Wheel

Social Sustainability


Modal shift

Modal shift is about encouraging people to use rail rather than other forms of transport, such as cars. We want to help more people travel by train, and we are committed to ensuring that our rail service plays a core part in the communities we serve and supports the modal shift to more environmentally sustainable methods of transport.

Download The Green Guide 2024

Use our carbon calculator below to see the difference between travelling by train versus car

Calculate my carbon footprint

Enter your start and destination stations, and we'll show you the environmental impact of your journey for both train and car travel.

Your journey details

The calculations are based on:

  • Car = Average petrol car 0.22469 kg CO2e/passenger mile
  • Train = National Rail 0.07150 kg CO2e/passenger mile
*Conversion factors are taken from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/greenhouse-gas-reporting-conversion-factors-2023
Distance is calculated as the direct distance between the origin and destination stations.

We believe in green public transport – with rail travel being one of the most environmentally friendly ways to travel. Even though rail travel accounts for 10% of passenger miles (2019), it is responsible for just 1% of all transport emissions. We want to help reduce climate impacts by encouraging people off the roads onto our services. Operating in a socially and environmentally responsible way is important to us.

Did you know a single train can remove up to 500 cars from our roads?


How we’re performing in our 11 Sustainability Strategy Goal Areas to March 2024

How we're performing in our 11 goal areas to March 2024

Our environmental and energy policy