ONCF’s Carbon Assessment Shows Significant Footprint Reduction And Commitment To Carbon Neutrality

The National Office of Railways in Morocco – Office National des Chemin de Fer (ONCF) has placed environmental preservation and decarbonisation at the forefront of its operations and its Sustainable Development (SD) initiatives. In line with international best practices, ONCF has conducted a comprehensive carbon footprint assessment for 2023, revealing a significant reduction in its carbon emissions.

Despite the growing popularity of train travel, recognised for its substantial benefits to the community, ONCF’s 2023 assessment highlights a marked reduction in its carbon footprint compared to 2022, showcasing the organisation’s commitment to sustainable practices:

• 20% Reduction in Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions: Emissions were reduced to approximately 297,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent (down from 371,000 tonnes in 2022), with nearly 28% of these emissions being exogenous and directly linked to upstream and downstream travel.
• Improved Carbon Intensity for Passengers: Carbon intensity per passenger dropped by 7.83 g CO₂, with each of the 52.8 million passengers generating only 13.02 g CO₂ per kilometre travelled—a figure nine times lower than that of car travel.
• Reduced Carbon Intensity in Freight Transport: A reduction of 5.38 g CO₂ was recorded, bringing carbon intensity to just 23.37 g CO₂ per kilometre per tonne for the 17 million tonnes of goods transported.

These impressive reductions in CO₂ emissions, equivalent to removing 4,740 cars from the Casablanca-Rabat motorway daily or providing one year of heating for 10,900 households, demonstrate ONCF’s effective decarbonisation strategy.

This success is attributed to ONCF’s strong commitment, proactive initiatives, and the dedicated mobilisation of its workforce and partners. The 2023 carbon footprint performance reflects the organisation’s resilience and its forward-thinking approach to corporate social responsibility (CSR).

Key actions contributing to this achievement include the acceleration of the energy transition (with 90% of electric trains now running on green energy), efficient resource management, enhancement of operational excellence, and the provision of innovative services. Additionally, ONCF has focused on developing intermodal transport, adopting eco-driving and eco-design practices, implementing alternative photovoltaic energy solutions at stations and buildings, optimising production and waste treatment processes, and promoting the circular economy. The organisation has also achieved ISO 14001 & 50001 certifications for its sites, conducted impact studies for major projects, issued certified ‘green’ bonds, and formed partnerships with specialised environmental organisations.

ONCF’s steadfast commitment to ecological transition and sustainable mobility aligns with Morocco’s Vision Royale, which places sustainable development at the core of its national agenda. With a long-term goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2035, ONCF is determined to reinforce the eco-responsible ethos of rail transport as a cornerstone of sustainable mobility, ensuring socio-economic prosperity for future generations.

It’s worth noting that rail transport remains a leading choice for eco-friendly travel, accounting for just 0.47% of Morocco’s total GHG emissions and 2.6% of the transport sector’s emissions while playing a crucial role in passenger and freight mobility.