A new initiative to tackle the environmental impact of tourism mobility
Transport emissions represent around 25% of the European Union’s total greenhouse gas emissions, reaching up to 29% in Spain, one of the leading tourist countries with more than 83 millions of international visitors every year. It is therefore high time to progress with a modal shift from aviation and road towards cleaner transport modes and sustainable travel patterns.
Rail is one of the greenest modes of transport, with less than 0.4% of transport-related greenhouse gas emissions and a steadily improved energy efficiency, and plays a key role in terms of sustainable mobility. However, despite being a central part of the solution, it is still very little used in the context of both medium/long-distance mobility and cross-border mobility.
A shift towards a greener tourism mobility calls for a renewal of the rail sector, going beyond high speed rail, with the development of cross-border connections, the return of night trains and an investment in conventional rail.
With the Viaja en Verde initiative, we intend to engage with key stakeholders, raise awareness of policy/decision makers from the tourism and transport sector, and promote institutional and corporate commitment towards the use of railways for business and leisure mobility.
