2021 is the European Year of Railways, on this occasion Hungrail - Hungarian Railway Association organized a conference in Budapest on 30 September 2021.

Sustainable and intelligent mobility is not possible without rail. In Europe, rail accounts for 7.6% of passenger transport and 17.6% of freight transport. But these two sectors are responsible for only 1.8% of greenhouse gas emissions. Taking into account an average energy consumption of 0.12 kWh per passenger-kilometer, urban railways are seven times more energy efficient than cars in cities. The carbon footprint of rail is therefore significantly lower than any other mode of transport.

The key message of the conference is that carbon neutrality cannot be achieved without the continued digitalization of rail, smart logistics and electrification, and the mainstreaming of intermodal freight transport. Hungary, taking advantage of its favorable geographical position, wants to play its part in both the regional (V4) and intercontinental (Europe-Asia) rail renaissance. The relevance and importance of the topic is reflected by the fact that speakers at the conference included Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Dr. László Mosóczi, State Secretary for Transport Policy, Attila Steiner, State Secretary for Circular Economy Development, Energy and Climate Policy, Wu Jiang, CEO of Central Europe Trade & Logistic Zone Ltd, and Dr. Clemens Först, President of the coalition Rail Freight Forward (Rail Cargo Austria AG). Our Institute was represented by Dr. Ottó Toldi, Head of Research, who presented the Institute's position on the European Commission's Fit for 55 climate proposal.