Horizon explores: sustainability
Viability through value: social sustainability in rail
Social sustainability is as important for the rail sector as environmental sustainability.
Jasmin CollierEditorial Content Manager, RSSB
Sustainability is a common goal in many industries, and rail—with its goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050—is no exception. With initiatives under way in cleaner air, reduced waste, and lower carbon, RSSB is putting its full weight behind a blueprint that aims to protect and preserve our precious environment and support economic and social value but that is also sensitive to the art of the possible.
One case in point is RSSB’s research into air quality at enclosed railway stations. We assessed several such stations and found that the quality of air inside them was worse than the quality of air in the street environments directly outside them. The higher concentrations of pollutants, which are wreaking havoc on our ozone layer and harming human health, were due to rail operations as well as businesses like food outlets inside the stations. These findings arm us with insights that will allow for better station design, but they also make clear the importance of social sustainability.
For rail, social sustainability is a way of understanding the contribution of the rail industry to employees, passengers, and the communities through which our network runs. And the sector’s social sustainability is intrinsically linked to its perceived social value, or the impacts of its activities on people’s welfare and wellbeing.
Put simply, rail must add social value to maintain its viability. Whether that’s through the creation of new jobs, the development of new transport links, the promotion of education, or—as above—the optimisation of enclosed stations to protect our lungs, industry needs to keep this top of mind.
There is already significant work under way in this area. Notably, RSSB has developed the Rail Social Value Tool (RSVT). This enables users to predict and analyse the social value of various activities taking place in our sector. With 500 indicators and 12 social impact types contained within the RSVT—including biodiversity value and jobs created—it can help rail stakeholders prioritise the initiatives that are likely to bring the most social value.
Industry’s Social Sustainability Working Group (SSWG) is also underpinning these efforts. Several exciting initiatives are currently in the works, including plans to conduct a social value research project in London, Doncaster, Manchester, and Scotland. With a final report on this project due in January, the SSWG hopes that this endeavour will progress rail’s collective thinking about social value and help the sector collaborate with more key players outside industry.
The SSWG is also leading some important work in education and careers. With a goal of increasing social mobility in deprived areas and helping young people access opportunities within rail, this project—being undertaken in collaboration with The Talent Foundry—will see young people tackle a real railway challenge with 12 hours of guided learning. Across multiple site visits, participants will learn valuable new skills and will experience a true taste of working in this dynamic industry.
With other plans in action, including working with Skills Builder to improve the quality of rail’s outreach activities, the SSWG is helping drive rail’s social sustainability efforts in a variety of meaningful ways.
Sustainable rail is one of RSSB’s core tenets, and it informs a significant amount of the work we do. With so much of the industry’s focus rightly on environmental sustainability, we must match that pace and determination on efforts that target social sustainability. To ensure a successful future for rail, and for rail to keep bringing benefits to Britain’s communities, it will be key to keep adding social value in as many areas as possible.
Are you ready to try the RSVT but aren’t sure where to start? Head to our dedicated FAQ page.
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