The environmentally friendly way to travel to France
The greener way to go
Now more than ever, we're all trying to do our bit for the planet. LeShuttle (formerly known as Eurotunnel Le Shuttle) is a sustainable choice, helping you keep your carbon footprint low. In fact, when compared with ferry travel, crossing the channel on LeShuttle emits 52 times less carbon dioxide*.
The future is electric
Travelling by EV is even kinder on the environment, so we want to support our customers doing so as much as we can. We have many EV chargers on site for customer use.
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75% of renewable energyToday, 75% of Eurotunnel’s electrical consumption comes from renewable sources
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Avoids 1.7 million tons of CO2e**Thanks to all its activities, Eurotunnel avoids around 1.7 million tons of CO2e* over a year
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B rated at CDPGetlink is rated B at CDP, the international benchmark for carbon performance
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Contributing to mitigating climate changeAlthough its greenhouse gas emissions are limited (44 ktCO2e in 2023), the Getlink Group has set reduction commitments, covering its direct emissions and those linked to its electricity consumption (scopes 1 & 2) that are compatible with the objectives of the Paris Agreement:
- - 30% in 2025 compared with 2019, validated by the Science Based Target Initiative
- - 54% in 2030 compared with 2019,
- Contribution to the multi-sector net zero carbon expected in 2050.
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Several mitigations already in place to secure a 4-5% reduction year on yearMany powerful actions have already been launched by the group securing a trend of reduction of about 4% to 5% per year:
- Development of renewable energy for its electrical consumption (both off-site and on-site production), optimization of the number of vehicles per shuttle, electrification of industrial equipment for tunnel maintenance and the fleet of vehicles at terminals…
- Replacement of emissive fluids in passenger shuttles.
- For our Eurotunnel passenger clients: provision of electric charging terminals for your electric vehicles.
Investing in nature
Did you know Eurotunnel has its very own nature reserve? Samphire Hoe Nature Reserve, near our Folkestone Terminal, was built using the millions of tonnes of chalk marl extracted from beneath the sea during construction of The Channel Tunnel. In 2023 it received its 18th Green Flag Award, and it welcomes more than 130,000 visitors each year. It plays host to 220 species of birds each year and more than 200 species of plants.
In France, 31 hectares of land have been dedicated to preserving biodiversity since 2021. Moreover, we've partially replaced the polluting mechanical equipment used to maintain the green areas around the terminal with Salers and Highland cattle.
Compare CO2 emissions on a Paris-London journey (kg CO2e per passenger) (Please see details below in §2)
EV stands for Electric Vehicle
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Use the car washTaking your car to a commercial car wash wastes much less water, and the wastewater is much less likely to end up flowing into storm drains and eventually rivers, lakes and waterways. Commercial car washes are more likely to recycle and reuse their water.
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Regularly service your vehicle.Annual maintenance of your car will optimize fuel efficiency. A more efficient car pollutes less – replacing a clogged filter, a worn spark plug or old engine oil could improve your miles-per-gallon.
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Clean your air filterBefore you set off, clean out your air filter. Did you know, an unclean air filter can reduce fuel efficiency. You can clean your dry air filter with a vacuum, or use a cleaning kit for an oil filter.
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Check your tyre pressureJust like a dirty air filter, poorly inflated tyres can have a negative effect on the environment. Driving with underinflated tyres is also very dangerous, so it’s important you check your tyre pressure regularly.
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Avoid air conditioningAir conditioning increases your car’s fuel consumption, so if possible use the ECO feature on modern vehicles or, if it’s the summer, just open your windows to keep cool!
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Try eco drivingEco-driving is a way of driving that maximises your vehicle’s fuel consumption and reduces its impact on the environment.
- Drive smoothly and gently. By avoiding sharp braking or accelerating, you can reduce your fuel consumption.
- Keep your vehicle moving. The more time your vehicle is moving the better. Eco-driving is about reducing the time your engine is idling, minimising sharp braking or accelerating, coasting instead of braking and regulating your speed.
- Adjust your speed: the faster you go, the more fuel you consume.
- Plan your journey. Plan your route so it gives you the best chance to drive in an environmentally friendly way. Stay tuned to traffic reports, note roadworks areas and avoid routes that cut through busy junctions or cities.
- Avoid idling. Idling your vehicle for more than 10 seconds uses more fuel than if the engine is switched off and on again. So if you think you will be stationery for more than momentary periods – for example, if you find yourselves queuing in urban traffic – switch off your engine.
*References
* According to a 2024 study by JMJ Conseil, expert in the cross-Channel segment, based on:
- Electricity consumption and passenger numbers for Eurotunnel shuttles in 2023
- An estimate of fossil fuel consumption and ferry passenger numbers for all companies on the Calais-Dover route in 2023.
- Methodology for the Calais-Dover route:
o Emissions linked to energy consumption, including losses, transmission and distribution
o Location-based emission factors from ADEME's Empreinte® database (FR - Transport - saisonnalisée - Scope 1+3a - Mix moyen 2022) and the UK Department for Energy and Net Zero (DESNZ) (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/greenhouse-gas-reporting-conversion-factors-2022 )
o Greenhouse gas emissions are expressed in CO2 equivalent, integrating CO2, CH4 and N2O.
o In the case of rail traction in tunnels, the emissions recorded in the calculator reflect the emissions associated with the production of the electricity needed to power the trains. They are then divided by the number of vehicles using the LeShuttle shuttles to establish average emissions per vehicle and per crossing.
- Additional methodology for the Paris-London route:
o GHG emissions by air: https://eco-calculateur.aviation-civile.gouv.fr/ + addition of the effect of condensation trails according to ADEME (doubling of combustion-related emissions)
o Conversion Factor for car (diesel or EV) : UK Conversion Factors 2024 data base (including manufacture and combustion phases)
o Assumption of 2 passengers per car
o GHG emissions in Eurostar : https://www.eurostar.com/uk-en/sustainability
o Km distance by car via GoogleMap Paris-Calais-Folkestone/Dover-London route
** Assumptions for avoided emissions: JMJ 2024 study with 2023 data and:
o Eurotunnel Truck Shuttles: 100% ferry use; (a journey by ferry is estimated at 130 kg CO2eq, i.e. 14 times greater emissions than a journey in electric Truck Shuttles (9 kg CO2eq) according to the 2024 JMJ Conseil study;
o Eurotunnel Passenger Shuttles: 100% ferry use (a journey by ferry is estimated at 117 kg CO2eq, i.e. 52 times greater emissions than a journey in electric Truck Shuttles (2 kg CO2eq) according to the 2024 JMJ Conseil study;
o Eurotunnel’s Rail Freight Services customers: on British soil (approximately 50% of the journey), goods are transported entirely by road; on European soil, 50% are transported by road and 50% by rail links in France, Germany and the Netherlands; and
o Eurotunnel’s High Speed Passenger Train customers (Eurostar): the shift is considered to be 100% to air traffic, considering that the traffic created by the Tunnel would have been created by low-cost airlines and that other shifts (to other tourist destinations) are negligible.
o Paris-London, Brussels-London and Amsterdam-London passengers accounted over the period 01st October 2022-30 Sept. 2023
Page last updated on: 25/07/2024 15:51:02