Implementation of Sustainable Development Principles by JSC Russian Railways

Sustainable Development and Environmental Strategy of JSC Russian Railways

In modern conditions, the implementation of sustainable development principles is becoming an integral part of the strategy of large corporations. Andrey Lisitsyn, a representative of JSC Russian Railways, analyzes in detail the company's approaches to environmental safety, reducing the carbon footprint, and adapting to climate change. The presentation thoroughly examines the transition from declarative goals to practical steps, including the introduction of new technologies and monitoring systems.

Reducing the Carbon Footprint: From Strategy to Practice

The speaker emphasizes that the company aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, which corresponds to the national strategy. To achieve this, a comprehensive set of measures is being implemented:

• Technological modernization: introduction of new rolling stock, electrification, transition to natural gas motor fuel, and the development of hydrogen trains (a project in Sakhalin jointly with Rosatom and TMH). This allows for a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
• Development of in-house generation: use of renewable energy sources (RES), such as solar panels at the Adler railway station, wind generation, and heat pumps. This reduces dependence on traditional energy sources.
• Climate projects: understanding that achieving absolute zero emissions is impossible, the company is developing compensatory measures, including forest climate projects and the rewetting of peatlands.

Environmental Monitoring and Accounting System

You can only manage what you can measure. The presentation shows how JSC Russian Railways has built a large-scale control system:

• Monitoring infrastructure: 16 environmental protection centers, over 50 stationary and 56 mobile laboratories, as well as automated complexes for monitoring the environmental situation at construction sites (for example, at Lake Baikal).
• Carbon footprint accounting: a system has been introduced that allows passengers to see the carbon footprint of their trip right on their ticket. A calculator has been developed for freight shippers demonstrating the environmental advantages of railway transport compared to road and air transport.
• Automation: development of the Unified Corporate Automated Management System for Industrial, Fire Safety, and Environment (EK ASU OTPB), which collects data from all laboratories and sensors.

Recycling and Reducing Environmental Impact

The speaker analyzes specific cases of waste management that bring not only environmental but also economic benefits:

• Installation of reverse vending machines: more than 250 machines for collecting plastic have been installed at railway stations. An unexpected effect was a threefold reduction in the volume of waste generation, which led to significant savings on waste removal.
• Industrial waste recycling: equipment was purchased for processing rubber and reinforced concrete products into secondary raw materials (floor tiles, small architectural forms).
• Biodiversity protection: implementation of projects at Lake Baikal, including the construction of eco-trails, cleaning the shores and bottom of the lake by volunteers, as well as supporting endangered animal species.

What you will learn from this webinar:

• How does a large transport company plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050?
• What technologies are used for environmental monitoring at large-scale infrastructure facilities?
• How did the installation of reverse vending machines at railway stations help reduce waste removal costs?
• How is carbon footprint accounting organized for passengers and freight shippers?
• How are the issues of industrial waste recycling and biodiversity protection resolved using the example of Lake Baikal?