21st century Europe faces many challenges posed by global warming, pollution and other environmental issues. Rail Baltica will reduce the environmental footprint of human mobility in the Baltic States. Railway is the only major transport mode that does not depend almost entirely on fossil fuels and its share of Europe’s transport energy consumption is less than 2% despite a market share of over 8.5%. Furthermore, by inducing a modal shift from road to rail – both for freight and passenger traffic – Rail Baltica will promote a significant reduction of the monetary effects from climate change due to economies of scale, as well as helping slash road maintenance cost and reduce noise pollution.
