JR West is forging ahead with its carbon neutral policy in the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to virtually zero. An aim of the major railway operator is replacing 10 percent of power for use in Shinkansen operations with that of solar energy by fiscal 2027. As for conventional train tracks, JR West alike signed a similar agreement with Kansai Electric Power Co. Carriages along the Osaka Loop Line and the Yumesaki Line are expected to run exclusively on power based on renewable energy by the end of fiscal 2023. Through these changes, JR West is expected to slash Shinkansen carbon dioxide emissions by 61,000 tons--equivalent to the total generated by 20,000 households--as of the end of fiscal 2027. In addition, the decline among normal trains as of the end of fiscal 2023 will compare to that for 10,000 households at 32,000 tons.
