ECOV4R: Railway Infrastructure & Ecological Regeneration Guide

Railways at the Crossroads: Charting a Path Towards Ecological Regeneration

As global biodiversity continues to decline, and land degradation becomes increasingly urgent, the railway sector is presented with a critical opportunity. With wildlife populations monitored since 1970 declining by 69%, according to WWF’s Living Planet report, and vast areas of forest lost between 2010 and 2015, as reported by IPBES, the industry’s response is more important than ever. This article will explore how the railway sector, often considered the most sustainable mode of motorised transport, can transform from a passive participant to a proactive champion of ecological regeneration, leveraging its extensive infrastructure for environmental benefit. The UIC (International Union of Railways) is at the forefront of this effort, championing innovative strategies to protect and restore ecosystems along railway lines and integrating biodiversity considerations into railway operations.

Ecological Risk Mitigation: Preventing Conflicts and Preserving Habitats

One of the most pressing challenges facing the railway sector is the risk of wildlife-train collisions, which pose significant threats to both animal welfare and operational safety. Railways are proactively implementing a range of measures to mitigate these risks. Innovations such as reinforced rolling stock with modular parts and impact-resistant features help minimize downtime following a collision. On the infrastructure side, solutions range from traditional fencing and wildlife passageways to more advanced technologies like acoustic deterrents. Additionally, the integration of technologies like Faun’Trap®, Sanglipass®, and Strail Grid® are being deployed to prevent animals from entering tracks. Emerging solutions, including biomimetic sound systems and drone monitoring, are also being explored. Collaboration with local stakeholders, such as farmers and hunters, is crucial to ensure tailored landscape-specific solutions and maximize their effectiveness.

Delivering Net Biodiversity Gain: Meeting Evolving Regulatory Demands

The rail industry must adapt to evolving regulatory frameworks that emphasize biodiversity targets, such as those outlined in the EU Nature Restoration Law and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). This entails adopting standardized biodiversity indicators, ecosystem valuation approaches, and impact-driven strategies. Railway operators must go beyond simple compliance and aim for net biodiversity gain. The UIC’s Ecosystem Valuation for Railways (ECOV4R) project is a crucial step in this direction. It offers railway operators a robust framework to systematically assess, quantify, and value the ecosystem services provided by railway land. ECOV4R focuses on the ‘soft estate’ – vegetated verges, embankments, and surrounding land – for natural solutions such as carbon storage, flood mitigation, and biodiversity enhancement. It will equip practitioners with a clear, consistent, and audit-ready framework by 2026.

Vegetation Management: Embracing Nature-Based Solutions

Traditional vegetation control methods relying on harmful chemicals are no longer viable, necessitating a shift towards innovative, climate-resilient, nature-based solutions. Integrated approaches enhance asset management, improve slope stability, control invasive species, reduce long-term costs, and promote multifunctional land use. UIC projects, such as TRISTRAM (Transition Strategy on Vegetation Management), address the urgent need to move away from harmful herbicides. REVERSE (Ecological Effects of Railways on Wildlife) has also delivered a comprehensive habitat management strategy, showing how green and blue infrastructure can be integrated into linear assets to transform traditional grey infrastructure into ecological corridors. The UIC, in partnership with the Infrastructure and Ecology Network Europe (IENE), is establishing a framework for long-term collaboration to embed ecological sustainability throughout railway infrastructure development.

The ECOV4R Pilots: Real-World Applications

The ECOV4R project is currently being piloted in two key locations to assess the effectiveness of its framework. In the United Kingdom, the Network Rail Cotswold Line is testing nature-based interventions for flood risk reduction, biodiversity, and carbon benefits at a catchment scale. This pilot highlights how railway corridors can act as vital green infrastructure. In Spain, the ADIF (Administrador de Infraestructuras Ferroviarias) High-Speed Line between Valladolid and León is applying ECOV4R retrospectively to a 16 km section of high-speed rail. The aim is to evaluate the value of mitigation measures, like afforestation and wetlands. These pilots demonstrate how ECOV4R can strengthen traditional environmental impact assessments by capturing long-term ecosystem benefits.

Conclusion

The railway sector is at a critical juncture, with the potential to significantly contribute to ecological restoration and biodiversity conservation. Through proactive risk mitigation, the adoption of nature-based solutions in vegetation management, and the implementation of comprehensive biodiversity impact assessment tools like ECOV4R, railways can transform their operations into ecologically beneficial activities. By moving beyond compliance-driven mitigation and actively seeking net biodiversity gains, the industry can demonstrate its commitment to sustainability and strengthen its position as a leader in green transport. ACORN (Alliance for Connecting Railways & Restoring Nature), UIC’s long-term initiative, is central to promoting nature-positive action, integrating safety and ecology, driving climate-resilient land strategies, and advancing harmonised reporting. This approach will be instrumental in assisting the industry in navigating the evolving landscape of environmental regulations while simultaneously enhancing the environmental and economic performance of railway infrastructure and contributing to a more sustainable future for global transportation. As the railway sector evolves, collaboration across the industry and with stakeholders will be critical to the development of the sector as a leading force in ecological regeneration.