New Data Confirms Rail as Canada’s Fuel-Efficient Advantage

OTTAWA, September 22, 2025 – Canada’s rail industry continues to advance environmental sustainability with the release of the 2023 Locomotive Emissions Monitoring (LEM) report. The findings highlight rail’s ongoing progress in reducing emissions while investing in the advancement of zero-emission and low-emission technologies.

The report follows the renewed 2023–2030 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Transport Canada (TC) and the Railway Association of Canada (RAC), which reflects a shared vision of working towards net-zero GHG emissions by 2050.

Since 2005:

• Regional & shortline freight railways’ GHG emissions intensity has improved by 17.5%.
• Class 1 freight railways’ GHG emissions intensity has improved by 28.8%, while absolute GHG emissions have fallen by 8.9%.
• Intercity passenger railways’ GHG emissions intensity has improved by 34.2%.
• Criteria air contaminant emissions have also decreased sharply, including nitrogen oxides (–48.9%), particulate matter (–62.7%), and sulphur dioxide (–99.0%).

These results demonstrate how rail strengthens Canada’s economic advantage by delivering sustainable growth in trade, passenger movement, and supply chains.

“Canada’s railways are proving that competitiveness and sustainability go hand in hand. By cutting emissions intensity, we are strengthening Canada’s trade advantage, keeping supply chains resilient, and delivering growth with fewer emissions. The progress highlighted in the LEM report reflects decades of investment in efficiency and innovation—and our industry’s commitment to advancing the technologies that will get us to net zero.”

– Eric Harvey

Over the last decade, railways have invested more than $22.7 billion in Canadian networks, ensuring rail remains the most fuel-efficient way to move freight over land and a critical partner in Canada’s growth.

For more information and to access the full report :

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Media Contact: Morgan Swan – mswan@railcan.ca