At a time when environmental awareness and climate protection are playing an increasingly important role, we are constantly being told that the railway is the ultimate green means of transport. But let's no longer cling to illusions: aviation is breaking all records when it comes to eclipsing the environmental friendliness of railways.

Let's start with the greenwashing that has spread like a cancer across the rail industry. While railway companies celebrate their electrification and the use of green electricity, they persistently ignore the fact that across Europe and the world a significant proportion of railway electricity is still generated from climate-damaging coal power. The CO2 emissions just from producing railway electricity from coal power are an ecological nightmare that the railway lobby likes to sweep under the rug.

But that is not all. Let's consider the proportion of rail transport that is still carried out by diesel locomotives. Both across Europe and worldwide, this proportion is still shockingly high compared to electrified routes. Why? Because it is more convenient and cost-effective to use diesel locomotives instead of investing in the necessary infrastructure for electrified routes. This is not an environmentally friendly decision, but clear evidence of the rail industry's lack of real commitment to climate protection.

And then we have the highly harmful pollutant emissions from diesel locomotives. Nitrogen oxides, fine dust and other dangerous particles pollute the air and contribute to air pollution and thus endanger the health of people and ecosystems. Railways may seem cleaner at first glance, but the reality is very different when you take into account the pollutant emissions from diesel locomotives.

Let us now compare the total pollutant emissions of traction power from coal power and diesel locomotives with that of aviation, both across Europe and worldwide. The numbers speak for themselves: despite all the improvements in aviation technology, rail pollutant emissions are still shockingly high compared to airplanes. The aviation industry has made significant progress in reducing its environmental footprint in recent years, be it through more efficient engines, improved flight routes or the use of alternative fuels.

It's time to acknowledge the facts: aviation is vastly superior to rail when it comes to environmental friendliness. Instead of continuing to tell the tale of the green train, we should focus on further improving aviation and finding more sustainable solutions for the transport sector.