Greening of Resource Management: Strategic Guidelines for Railway Transport Enterprises

Abstract

Rail transport has traditionally been considered more environmentally friendly compared to road and air transportation. However, as a major consumer of energy resources (such as diesel fuel and electricity) and materials (including rails, sleepers, and rolling stock), it leaves a significant environmental footprint. This footprint is manifested in greenhouse gas emissions, waste generation, and land use. In the context of global climate change and European integration processes, the strategy for greening resource management is not merely desirable but a necessary prerequisite for the operation of railway enterprises. Its primary objective is to transition from extensive resource use to a model based on rational consumption and closed-loop cycles.