Thalys, officially known as Thalys International, is a leading high-speed train operator headquartered in Belgium. Established in 1996, Thalys connects major cities across Europe, including Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, and Cologne, facilitating seamless travel in the Benelux region and beyond. Specialising in high-speed rail services, Thalys offers a unique travel experience with its modern fleet, renowned for comfort and efficiency. The company has achieved significant milestones, including the introduction of the first high-speed services between France and Belgium, which revolutionised cross-border travel. With a strong market position, Thalys is recognised for its commitment to sustainability and innovation, making it a preferred choice for eco-conscious travellers. Its distinctive red trains and exceptional service set it apart in the competitive rail industry, ensuring a memorable journey for passengers.
How does Thalys's carbon action stack up? DitchCarbon scores companies based on their carbon action and commitment to reducing emissions. Read about our methodology to learn more.
Mean score of companies in the Rail Transport industry. Comparing a company's score to the industry average can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
Thalys's score of 51 is higher than 80% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
Thalys, headquartered in Belgium, has set ambitious climate commitments aimed at reducing its carbon emissions. Although specific emissions data for the most recent year is not available, Thalys has committed to a significant reduction target. The company aims to decrease its corporate greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) per passenger kilometre by 41.4% by 2020, using 2008 as the base year. This target encompasses all scopes of emissions: Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3. Notably, approximately 50% of the total Scope 3 emissions are included in this target, while the remaining 50% will see Thalys engaging with maintenance management suppliers to establish more explicit reduction targets. This commitment aligns with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) classification of "Well-below 2°C," indicating that their targets are consistent with the reductions necessary to limit global warming. Thalys's emissions data is cascaded from its parent company, Thalys International S.C.R.L., which is part of the broader corporate family that includes Société nationale SNCF, société anonyme. This relationship underscores Thalys's commitment to sustainability within the rail transportation sector.
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2019 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 1,660,782,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 |
| Scope 2 | 722,748,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | - | - | - | 0,000,000,000 | 000,000,000 |
| Scope 3 | 583,235,000 | - | - | - | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 |
Thalys's Scope 3 emissions, which increased by 8% last year and increased significantly since 2015, demonstrating supply chain emissions tracking. Most of their carbon footprint comes from suppliers and value chain emissions, with Scope 3 emissions accounting for 78% of total emissions under the GHG Protocol, with "Upstream Transportation & Distribution" being the largest emissions source at 36% of Scope 3 emissions.
Climate goals typically focus on 2030 interim targets and 2050 net-zero commitments, aligned with global frameworks like the Paris Agreement and Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to ensure alignment with global climate goals.
Thalys has established climate goals through participation in recognized frameworks and target-setting initiatives. Companies often set interim 2030 targets and long-term 2050 net-zero goals to demonstrate measurable progress toward decarbonization.