Investments in green energy and trains running on waste cooking oil

The pursuit of carbon neutrality is needed in all countries to limit global warming to less than two °C in line with the Paris Agreement. However, global decarbonisation is not progressing as fast as it should. Therefore, COP27 recommended annual investments of 4-6 trillion dollars in accelerating the development of renewable energy sources. Last year renewables in the UK generated a record 135 TWh, 41.5% of the electricity produced there. The UK’s most significant source of clean energy is wind, producing a record 24.7% of UK electricity in 2022.

British Chiltern Railways uses hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) to power part of its passenger train fleet as part of its decarbonisation operation. HVO consists mainly of used cooking oils and can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90% compared to diesel. Approx. 29% of UK trains run on diesel only, but the government has set a target to phase them out by 2040. Meanwhile, online search engine Ecosia and travel booking platform Omio have partnered to make it easier for eco-conscious users to find and book low-carbon rail journeys, which will help reduce carbon emissions from transport and, at the same time, finance climate-friendly tree planting projects.