Germanwatch
Impact Sector
Green Infrastructure
Type of Strategy
Influence
Project Location
Europe
Entry Funding
In a nutshell
Most travellers in Europe still choose air travel over taking the train. Easier ticketing, smoother services and faster journeys would all help the uptake of rail use in Europe. A few key policy wins in select countries and between neighbouring countries would have a tremendous impact, and Germanwatch is working to make that a reality. By working with different interest groups, using media influence, and winning key policy changes, the organisation aims to accelerate the use of rail across Europe.
Climate Problem
The European transport sector represents almost a quarter of Europe’s greenhouse gas emissions. The lack of climate-friendly alternatives for long-distance travel means that air travel remains the default option, and emissions caused by transport remain stable. Rail travel is becoming popular, but accounts for just 8 per cent of long haul trips today. Its use is progressing too slowly to meet the ambitious European climate goals.
Initiatives and civil society aim to accelerate change, but face significant roadblocks. These include national protectionism, a slow growth in political will from governments, and heavily subsidised air traffic that rail companies can hardly compete with.
Aviation is extremely carbon intensive by design. Yet despite increasing public support, the tipping point for a rail renaissance in the EU has not yet been reached. Some of the problems blocking progress include complicated ticketing, and a lack of infrastructure and coordination across national borders. Significantly, there are also too few trains capable of long haul travel. Tackling these challenges would help increase rail travel, and lead to a meaningful reduction in climate pollution.
Project Solution
It’s time for Europe’s rail renaissance! The objective of Germanwatch is to reduce climate damage from aviation and increase long-distance travel by train, through establishing a strong and convenient rail network in Europe.
To create political will, Germanwatch builds bridges: between policymakers across the political spectrum, from civil society to businesses, and rail companies – from Spain to Romania. They work to improve the rail governance in European states and to support stronger collaboration between countries. Their advocacy reaches politicians, EU and national parliamentarians, officials in ministries and the EU Commission.
Germanwatch provokes and supports public debates, and dives deep into operational, business and technical issues to bring forward policy recommendations that work. They consult with scientists and rail companies to identify key areas for change in moving Europe’s rail renaissance forward.
Germanwatch recognises that exchanging ideas and knowledge helps push progress forward, and provides a powerful voice in Brussels. To that end, they have helped build a coalition of NGOs and think tanks. The organisation also leads the Europe on Rail initiative, made up of civil society actors working towards Europe’s train revival through research and collaboration.
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“Europe already sports one of the best rail networks in the world. Rail offers fast, comfortable and climate-friendly mobility. To achieve the climate goals in the challenging transport sector, we can and must accelerate the shift to rail today.”
- Operational since 1991
- Team of 83 employees
- Headquarters in Bonn, Germany
About the organisation
Germanwatch’s mission is to pursue sustainable development on a global scale: their vision is a world that is more socially equitable, ecologically sound, and economically stable. Their work is diverse, and includes the promotion of climate action, fair trade relations, human rights and the reform of financial markets.
How your donation helps
Travellers are increasingly willing to make the shift to rail travel. Europe is enacting ambitious new climate policies, has introduced the European Rail Action Plan, and infrastructure investment debates continue. To reach a tipping point on rail, we will advocate for further progressive transport policies in EU states that encourage sustainable, long-distance mobility. We need stronger investment in rail technology to reach a 100% comfortable and climate-friendly mode of travel and to create millions of green jobs.
The EU implements several significant policy measures that support the system wide shift towards rail and climate-compatible air travel, e.g. an EU Climate Ticket or a frequent flyer levy.
More high-level policy makers publicly support European rail as a priority. The rail sector becomes more publicly visible compared to the automotive and aviation sectors.
Rail stakeholders across the spectrum cooperate more often and more substantially. They advocate for the rail system in policy initiatives and joint statements.
Why we chose the project
"This project will speed up Europe’s progression towards embracing rail travel, and bring us closer to a world in which air travel becomes the carbon-intensive exception. Germanwatch has a long track record of influencing climate policy and demanding global justice – they bring the knowledge, networks and endurance to get this done."
Dr. Johannes Lundershausen
Senior Climate Advisor, Active Philanthropy
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KEY SUPPORTER
Grow
PROJECT PATRON
Flourish
CLIMATE CHAMPION
Receive bi-annual reports on how your funded project is progressing
Access to exclusive networks or new research, tailored to your funding choice
Meet the people behind the project, ask your questions, and build connection (online)
Book an exchange with our Active team to discuss latest trends in climate funding (online)
Meet the project team in person to see firsthand how your donation made a difference
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Germanwatch
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