Long-distance train operator CrossCountry has launched its 2025 Sustainability Strategy, outlining a bold 10-year plan to make rail travel more inclusive, resilient and low-carbon.
At the heart of the strategy is a major milestone: CrossCountry’s science-based targets have been officially approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). These targets commit the business to cutting direct emissions (Scope 1 and 2*) by 63% by 2035—marking a clear step towards net zero.
Built around three pillars—People, Places and Planet—the strategy is supported by 11 action-focused modules that define where CrossCountry can make the biggest impact.
- People: Creating a diverse, inclusive workforce and making rail more accessible to all.
- Places: Supporting communities through cleaner air, restored habitats, and climate-resilient services.
- Planet: Reducing carbon, waste and water use to shrink the environmental footprint of operations.
Jessica Lockwood, CrossCountry’s Environment & Sustainability Manager, said: “This strategy reflects the issues that matter most to our colleagues, customers and stakeholders.
“Aligning our operations with the latest climate science - while embedding social value and resilience into everything we do - means we’re building a railway that’s fit for the future.”
CrossCountry’s Head of Strategy, Thomas Raynor, said: “Our 2025 Sustainability Strategy is a commitment to long-term change. It’s about making rail the natural choice for greener long-distance travel across Great Britain, while creating lasting value for the communities we serve. This is a strategy built not just for today, but for the next decade and beyond.”
CrossCountry’s purpose goes beyond running trains—it’s about driving regeneration, inclusion and innovation. The 2025 Sustainability Strategy sets the direction for a decade of meaningful change.
Read and download CrossCountry’s new Sustainability Strategy at www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/about-us/sustainability-strategy
Contact Information
CrossCountry Press Office
[email protected]About CrossCountry
CrossCountry is a long-distance passenger train operator, with a network stretching from Aberdeen to Penzance and from Stansted to Cardiff and calling at over 100 stations. Based in Birmingham, CrossCountry connects seven of Britain’s 10 largest cities and delivers 240 services every weekday, equating to over 42 million passenger journeys each year.
For further information on CrossCountry services, visit crosscountrytrains.co.uk or visit one of our social media platforms via X @crosscountryuk or Facebook at facebook.com/crosscountrytrains
- Eight additional trains to enter service in succession from early 2027.
- Extra trains bring total of additional seats on CrossCountry routes since 2024 to 60,000 seats per week.
- Additional trains support ongoing refurbishment programme to deliver better journeys for CrossCountry customers.
Rail passengers travelling this Christmas are being encouraged to plan ahead, as major engineering work will mean no trains can operate to or from Birmingham New Street between Thursday 24 and Monday 28 December 2026.
From yesterday, Sunday 20 September, CrossCountry customers whose train is cancelled are now able to travel on other train operators'* services at no additional cost, helping them continue their journey more easily during disruption.
