Since 2019, Infrabel has been calculating its CO2 emissions based on the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard.
In 2024, Infrabel had its methodology for preparing its consolidated1 CO2 balance certified according to the ISO14064-3:2019 standard. The certification covered the verification of calculations for 2019 (base year) and 2023 (most recent available figures).
The chart in the “Analysis” tab provides an overview of the evolution of annual Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions2 . The values are locked no later than 30 June each year. If there are significant changes to the activity data or emission factors, or if a new emission source is identified or a better calculation method is applied, the entire time series is adjusted3 .
Scope 1 emissions (in metric tons4 of CO2 equivalent): concern, on the one hand, CO2eq emissions associated with the consumption of fossil fuels for building heating, road vehicles and work trains, and, on the other hand, emissions resulting from leaks of fluorinated greenhouse gases from cooling systems and SF6 from certain electrical installations;Scope 2 emissions (in metric tons of CO2 equivalent): concern CO2eq emissions linked to the consumption of electricity for railway infrastructure, data centers, workshops, office buildings and charging road vehicles. In the chart (“Analysis” tab), these emissions are calculated based on the annual emission factor of the Belgian electricity production mix (this is therefore the so-called “location-based approach”)5.Scope 3 emissions (in metric tons of CO2 equivalent): these are emissions associated with the energy consumption for producing the goods and services purchased by Infrabel (“upstream emissions”) and with the energy consumption linked to its product, namely the energy consumption of trains running on the Belgian rail network (“downstream emissions”). The evolution of the train-kilometres travelled by rail operators is available on Open Data.We also provide the values of three external factors that have an impact on the emission figures:
The annual electricity emission factor (in grams of CO2 equivalent per kilowatt hour): this determines Scope 2 emissions and Scope 3 emissions resulting from the electricity consumption of trains running on the Belgian rail network;The number of degree days (16.5 °C), which is an indicator of winter severity and therefore of the heating needs in our buildings. Cold, wet winters also lead to higher electricity consumption for point heating.The renewable energy produced by Infrabel (MWh): Infrabel produces solar energy that is directly consumed by its own installations. The Scope 2 emissions from this produced electricity are “0”. The emissions related to the manufacturing of the solar panels are included in Scope 3. Disclaimer: As part of its Performance Contract with the federal government, Infrabel reports only its own Scope 1 & 2 emissions (i.e. excluding those of Tuc Rail), with Scope 2 emissions being calculated based on a fixed emission factor (188 g CO2/kWh). These emission figures are therefore not comparable with the emissions published in this Open Data, which are calculated for the consolidated company and in accordance with the provisions of the ISO14064-1:2018 and GHG Protocol standards.
1 This means including the energy consumption of Tuc Rail.
2 CO2-equivalent emissions are calculated based on the Global Warming Potential (GWP) values from the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (AR6).
3 As part of its reporting under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, Infrabel has corrected a number of data points and calculations. As a result, the figures for 2019 and 2023 differ from those in the verification report.
4 A metric ton (also called a “tonne”) is a unit of mass equal to 1,000 kilograms (kg).
5 Infrabel uses the emission factor published by AIB for this purpose. As AIB only publishes its report for year X at the beginning of July of year X+1, Infrabel applies the latest available emission factor, namely that of year X-1.