Abu Dhabi – Etihad Rail is set to complete the solarisation of its first freight terminal by the end of this year, marking a significant step towards sustainable rail transport in the UAE.
Adhraa Almansoori, Director of Public Policy and Sustainability at Etihad Rail, described the development as a “huge step” for the country’s sustainability goals. “Now when we think about our future terminals and future passenger stations, this is where we need to go,” she said.
Almansoori emphasized the importance of clean energy and intelligent design in achieving the UAE’s net zero ambitions. “We need to utilise cleaner energies and smarter designs to make sure that we are meeting the UAE agenda for net zero,” she explained.
The rail operator also prioritizes suppliers with a strong awareness of sustainability. “We want to cover the full logistics end-to-end journey with better sustainability practices,” Almansoori added, ensuring that services provided alongside rail operations align with eco-friendly standards.
Speaking at the Global Rail Conference in Abu Dhabi, Almansoori highlighted the display of an Etihad Rail prototype train, automated gates, and ticket machines at the event. The entity also announced a partnership with global transport firm Keolis to operate its upcoming passenger rail service, scheduled for 2026.
A promotional video at the Etihad Rail stand showcased the concept of a ‘green corridor’ along the tracks, designed to explore natural solutions for sand mitigation and environmental enhancement. “We are looking into what kind of plants can grow there and whether it will help with sand mitigation,” Almansoori said.
The initiative is still in the research and development phase, with careful consideration of plant selection to ensure they do not damage infrastructure. “It has to sustain itself, and you also don’t want to hurt the infrastructure because of the roots,” she added.
Environmental protection remains a priority, with collaboration between Etihad Rail and local authorities to safeguard flora and fauna along the rail routes. “We had multiple stakeholders from municipalities to environmental agencies vetting our process and supporting us,” Almansoori explained.
Etihad Rail highlighted the environmental impact of its operations, noting that each freight train removes around 300 trucks from roads. Some customers have reported up to an 80% reduction in carbon emissions by switching to rail transport.
To track these reductions, the company issues a Carbon Avoidance Certificate to customers. “All of our customers have reported 70 to 80 per cent CO2 emission reductions just by using the rail,” Almansoori said. By 2050, the railway industry is expected to reduce land transport emissions by 21%, equivalent to 8.2 million tons annually.
Etihad Rail’s solarised terminal underscores its commitment to sustainable transport solutions, offering both operational efficiency and a greener future for the UAE’s expanding rail network.
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