Long-distance train operator CrossCountry has launched its 2025 Sustainability Strategy — a bold ten-year roadmap to make rail travel in the UK more inclusive, resilient and low-carbon.
A Clear Vision for Change
At the heart of the strategy is a major commitment: CrossCountry has had its climate targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), committing to reduce its direct greenhouse-gas emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by 63 % by 2035.
The strategy is built around three pillars — People, Places and Planet — and is supported by 11 action-oriented modules that identify where the company can make the most impactful changes.
- People focuses on creating a diverse and inclusive workforce and improving access across the rail network.
- Places emphasises community wellbeing, cleaner air, habitat restoration and making services more resilient to climate change.
- Planet concentrates on reducing carbon emissions, waste, water usage and shrinking the overall environmental footprint of operations.
Strategic Implications
For CrossCountry, this initiative goes beyond running trains — it represents a strategic repositioning of long-distance rail travel as the natural, greener choice for connecting UK cities. The operator serves major routes stretching from Aberdeen to Penzance and Stansted to Cardiff, carrying over 42 million passenger journeys each year.
By placing sustainability at the heart of its business model, CrossCountry is aligning with investor expectations, regulatory pressure and passenger demand for greener transport.
Opportunities & Challenges
Opportunities:
- Delivering meaningful emissions reductions reinforces the long-term viability of rail as a low-carbon mode and supports operational cost efficiencies (e.g., energy, water, waste).
- Enhancing workforce diversity and accessibility can strengthen brand identity, attract talent and widen passenger appeal.
- Embedding social value through community and nature-based initiatives could generate broader stakeholder goodwill and local benefits.
Challenges:
- The timeline is ambitious: achieving a 63 % emission reduction by 2035 requires sustained investment, technological change and effective delivery across a complex network.
- Rail operations span infrastructure, rolling stock, energy use, service planning and supply chains — coordinating all action-modules will be complex.
- External factors (e.g., regulation, energy markets, infrastructure availability, fleet modernisation) could influence the pace of progress.
What to Monitor
- How CrossCountry plans to achieve the emissions reduction target: steps such as fleet renewal, energy sourcing, operational changes and partnerships will be key.
- Implementation of specific modules (e.g., water-use reduction, habitat restoration) and progress updates in the coming 12–18 months.
- Whether the strategy leads to tangible passenger-experience improvements (accessibility, comfort, community engagement) and operational efficiencies.
- How the rail-industry responds: whether this sets a benchmark for other long-distance operators and how regulatory or investment frameworks evolve in parallel.
Final Thought
CrossCountry’s 2025 Sustainability Strategy signifies a real shift — from running trains to shaping a greener, more inclusive railway future. By aligning its goals with climate science and embedding sustainability in its core operations, the operator is making a strong statement of intent. The true test will be in delivery: if CrossCountry can translate ambition into measurable outcomes, it could redefine how long-distance rail travel is perceived and valued in the UK.