Defining a New Rail Sustainability Strategy

In this episode I talk with RSSB's recently appointed Director for Sustainable Development, George Davies, about his vision for a new Rail Sustainability Strategy. He also talks about his plans for how to collaborate with industry colleagues to agree, implement, and communicate the strategy and the progress it achieves.00:55 The broad scope of sustainability, its definition, and its primary elements.02:59 How Sir David Attenborough ignited his passion for the environment.04:19 Pandemics as a result of human activity, and the climate emergency.05:42 Transitioning from aviation to the railway and the issues to be addressed.08:22 Rail's challenges for sustainability—hydrogen and battery power.09:53 Delivering social benefit, and getting freight off the roads.11:36 Rail's strategic objectives, and defining the Sustainable Rail Strategy.14:34 How to set out 'flagship industry goals' on carbon, air quality, social impact, and biodiversity; and their route maps.16:27 The mission to demystify sustainability and make it an accessible topic.17:43 Engaging with industry groups and sectors to achieve the strategy's goals.19:25 The need to engage with rolling stock owners and leasing companies.20:24 Working with central and devolved governments, and with charitable organisations.Resources mentioned in this episode:Online explanations of a 'stranded asset' in an environmental context:Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stranded_asset#:~:text=In%20the%20context%20of%20upstream,as%20a%20result%20of%20changes London School of Economics – Grantham Institute: https://www.lse.ac.uk/granthaminstitute/explainers/what-are-stranded-assets/ Carbon Tracker: https://carbontracker.org/terms/stranded-assets/ Other related resources:The RSSB Sustainability web page: https://www.rssb.co.uk/sustainability The RSSB Decarbonisation web page: https://www.rssb.co.uk/sustainability/decarbonisation