I was wondering whether I could use a general indicator figure as a rule of thumb if I were to calculate the carbon footprint of my journey.I managed to find some very useful indicator for all the transport modes I'm interested in but that for London underground. Currently I'm using the "2019 government greenhouse gas conversion factors for company reporting"* document and I cannot find any info regarding the above-mentioned topic. Is there any chance that you could provide me with a gCo2/km number for tube travels? An approximate one would be also very much appreciated. Thanks in advance, keep up the good work! * https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/829336/2019_Green-house-gas-reporting-methodology.pdf

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TfL Ref: FOI-0354-2021

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 3^rd June 2020 asking for information about the carbon footprint of journeys on the London Underground.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations and our information access policy.

Specifically you asked:

“I was wondering whether I could use a general indicator figure as a rule of thumb if I were to calculate the carbon footprint of my journey. I managed to find some very useful indicator for all the transport modes I'm interested in but that for London underground. Currently I'm using the "2019 government greenhouse gas conversion factors for company reporting"* document and I cannot find any info regarding the above-mentioned topic. Is there any chance that you could provide me with a gCo2/km number for tube travels? An approximate one would be also very much appreciated.”

I can confirm that we hold the information you require.

In 2018/19, the average normalised carbon emissions from London Underground were 44 gCO₂e per passenger km. Note that we report on the CO₂ emissions of the public transport services that TfL operates in our annual Health Safety and Environment report, published online here: https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/publications-and-reports/health-safety-and-environment. We will be publishing the 2019/20 report later in the summer.

If this is not the information you are looking for please do not hesitate to contact me.

On a more general matter, please note that the Government has announced a series of measures to tackle the coronavirus. It is essential for London that we continue to provide a safe transport network for essential journeys.

In current circumstances, we are not able to answer information requests readily and we ask that you please do not make a request to us at present.

Answering such requests will require the use of limited resources and the attention of staff who could be supporting other essential activity. In any event, please note that our response time will be affected by the current situation.

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.

Yours sincerely,

David Wells

FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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