KiwiRail reports sustainability progress and emission reductions

KiwiRail has released its Sustainability Report for the 2025-2026 financial year, detailing progress under its Rautaki Whakauka Sustainability Strategy 2025-2028. The report highlights that rail freight customers avoided nearly 144,000 tonnes of CO2e emissions during this period.

Key environmental achievements include a 24% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions compared to the FY19 baseline. Additionally, the company’s Steel Wheels report achieved Toitū Envirocare Carbon Compatible Reporting status for the first time, providing verified emissions data for customers. Operational updates include the commissioning of 11 shunt vehicles to reduce fuel consumption and the launch of a first Biodiversity Action Plan.

Chief Executive Peter Reidy noted that while the company is making meaningful progress, challenges remain. He emphasized that sustainability encompasses more than carbon, including climate risk, adaptation, resilience, and workplace safety. The report also identified increasingly severe weather events as a significant ongoing challenge to the national rail network's infrastructure.