Renfe Operadora

The company does not disclose sufficient emissions intensity data to meaningfully assess performance in the past or project future performance. The company should report its emissions data per passenger-kilometre travelled and tonne-kilometre travelled. This information will enable the company to create a more robust transition plan. Though the company reports that only 20% of its fleet is run on diesel it does not clarify if the remaining 80% of its fleet is low-carbon or its deployment schedule to decarbonise its diesel trains.

Renfe works in partnership with key infrastructure operators to develop infrastructure enabling the operation of low-carbon vehicles and energies. The company worked with ADIF, the state rail infrastructure operator, on its Master Plan to Fight Climate Change, in line with a below 2-degrees scenario. The company can go further by partnering with suppliers and manufacturers. This can include setting science-based targets to reduce value chain emissions and developing joint low-carbon research and development projects.

Renfe has several programmes to influence passenger customer behaviour to reduce GHG emissions. The company provides passengers with information comparing the carbon emissions attributed to train use versus other modes of travel. The company has a rewards programme to encourage greater use of the train network. Renfe is also piloting Renfe-as-a-Service, making it simpler for passengers to use multi-modal low-carbon options. The company can set quantitative GHG emissions reduction targets for these programmes. It should also seek to replicate these offers for its freight transport services.

The company has developed a low-carbon transition plan, covering the purchase of new trains, alternative energies and energy efficiency audits. Despite claiming to be aligned with a below 2 degrees scenario, Renfe discloses no evidence of scenario analysis. Additionally, although the company has set a 2050 net-zero target, the transition plan only extends to 2030. Renfe can improve its plan by including verifiable and quantifiable key performance indicators and financial commitments. The plan should be informed by scenario analysis to ensure that the plan’s ambition is sufficient for a 1.5°C pathway.

Renfe adopted a target to reach net-zero by 2050 when it signed up to the International Union of Railways’ climate commitment, presented at COP21. By 2030 Renfe also aims to achieve a cumulative reduction of GHG emissions of 9.9 million tons across the transport sector due to modal shift towards rail, energy efficiency measures and decarbonisation.

Renfe created its transition plan in collaboration with ADIF, the state rail infrastructure body. The plan supports the company’s intention to transition its diesel trains, which currently account for 20% of its traffic, to LNG and hydrogen fuels. Renfe also plans to increase its proportion of green electricity.

Renfe is piloting Renfe-as-a-Service, a digital platform that will give customers a personalised travel experience and aid in reducing the use of private transport. Renfe is also developing offers for road-rail combined transport of freight.

Insufficient emissions data was disclosed by the company from 2015 to 2020 to provide a meaningful assessment of its historic emissions intensity trend. The company aims to increase the use of public transport to reduce sector-wide emissions. This includes a loyalty programme for passengers and working with local transport authorities to improve public transport offerings.

Renfe has committed to reach net-zero by 2050 but does not have a plan or targets against which to assess its progress. The company’s transition plan covers both its passenger and freight operations but only extends to 2030 and lacks the financial and operational detail to provide confidence in its execution.

No evidence was found of the company’s commitment to social dialogue or of the categories of stakeholders the company engages with on a just transition. Furthermore, no evidence was found to demonstrate the company’s ongoing social dialogue and meaningful engagement with affected stakeholders.

No evidence was found of the company undertaking low-carbon transition planning to mitigate the social impacts of the transition on workers, affected stakeholders and its business relationships. Additionally, no evidence was found to demonstrate the company’s engagement in social dialogue or engagement with stakeholders in its just transition planning.

The company discloses the actions it takes to create permanent jobs in the rejuvenation of its workforce. It also discloses the measures it takes to ensure that these jobs embed equality of opportunity for women and vulnerable groups. In particular, it works to create inclusive workplaces for disabled persons and has initiatives for gender equality in the workforce. However, no evidence was found of the company committing to create and support access to green and decent jobs as part of the low-carbon transition. Furthermore, no relevant disclosure was found of the company’s assessment of employment dislocation risks.

No public commitment by the company was found stating its intention to reskill and upskill workers displaced by the transition to a low-carbon economy. Additionally, no evidence was found that the company reskills and upskills workers in a way that ensures gender balance and inclusion of vulnerable groups.

No relevant disclosure was found to show if the company identifies impacts of the low-carbon transition on social protection for workers and affected stakeholders, nor how it contributes to social protection. Additionally, no evidence was found that the company expects its business relationships to contribute to the social protection of their workers and affected stakeholders.

No relevant disclosure was found to show how the company identifies any misalignment of its lobbying activities with policies and regulations that support the just transition, nor of the measures it takes to address misalignment. Furthermore, no evidence was found that the company lobbies for policies and regulations for green and decent job creation; retention, education and reskilling; and social protection for workers.

No policies or commitments of the company related to respect for human rights were found in the public domain. This includes the necessary policies and systems by which the company can ensure respect for basic human rights in its operations and supply chain.

The company discloses the proportion of its direct workforce covered by collective bargaining agreements, as well as the gender of its workforce by employee category. It also discloses how it monitors the health and safety performance of its suppliers. However, the company can strengthen its disclosure on these and other decent work issues, including living wage and working hours practices.

No policies or commitments of the company related to key ethical business topics – personal data protection, tax, bribery and corruption, and lobbying and political engagement – were found in the public domain. This includes ensuring ethical business conduct throughout its operations and in its relationships with business partners.