Carbon Emissions Report for 2023 Running Season
Published: 8th May, 2024
The Lynton and Barnstaple Railway Carbon Emissions Plan, prepared by Arup on behalf of the L&BR Trust demonstrates how the operational railway can become carbon neutral. (Ref: Lynton and Barnstaple Railway Carbon Emission Plan by ARUP dated 28th July 2022).
The baseline year for carbon assessment was taken to be 2019, the last “normal” operational year before Covid 19 restrictions affected operation of the railway.
This was the second year of monitoring carbon emissions arising from operation of the railway. There was a small increase in CO2e production compared to the previous year but nevertheless, this was below the 2019 baseline of 154 Tonnes.
The actual monitored figure was 110 Tonnes which represents a 28% reduction in CO2e production from the baseline level but 3% above the plan target.
The slight increase in CO2e for 2023 compared with 2022 is primarily attributable to the railway operating for an additional 9 days. Petrol consumption was up 100% on baseline, but this is a minor fuel source that contributes a very small percentage of total CO2e production as illustrated in the graph above.
Welsh steam coal is now no longer available and so when the railway’s current stockpile is exhausted, alternative fuel sources will have to be used. These are currently being investigated and tested. Commercial suppliers continue to develop alternative fuels for the heritage sector in collaboration with the Heritage Railway Association.
25th April 2024
01 May 2024