Belgian delegation on ‘climate train’ towards COP26 in Glas…

A ‘climate train’ is today bringing official delegations from Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands and Germany, as well as activists, representatives of NGOs, MEPs and scientists to the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow. After leaving Amsterdam just before 9 am and after a stop in Rotterdam, the Eurostar high-speed train stopped for an hour in Brussels South.

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In Brussels alone, about 220 people boarded the train. Among them are also Federal Minister of Climate, Environment and Sustainable Development Zakia Khattabi (Ecolo) and climate activists Anuna De Wever and Adelaide Charlier. Federal Minister of Mobility Georges Gilkinet (Ecolo) was on the platform to wave them off.

Shortly after 11 a.m., the train continued its journey to London, where a change is planned. Travelers have to walk between St. Pancras and Euston stations. From there they take a Pendolino train of the company Avanti West Coast to Glasgow, where the train should arrive around 6 pm with a total of more than 500 people.

‘Rail to the COP’ is an initiative of the non-profit organization Youth for Sustainable Travel and the Dutch rail infrastructure manager ProRail. Railway companies Eurostar, NS and Avanti West Coast cooperated. Financial support came from, among others, the infrastructure managers on the route – Infrabel, SNCF Réseau, Getlink, HS1 -, the NMBS and EWS Schönau. According to the rail companies, a flight between Amsterdam and London produces as much carbon emissions as seven trips on a Eurostar. One flight between London and Glasgow would be the equivalent of almost seven train journeys.

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