Carbone 4 Study for Thalys: "What Would Happen If Thalys Didn't Exist?"

Carbone 4 was commissioned by Thalys, as part of its efforts to contribute to a more sustainable transportation system, to address a question that is as simple and provocative as it is strategic: “What would happen if Thalys didn’t exist?”  Five factors were examined: not only the cost and travel time, but also the main externalities, the effects on traffic congestion and related social impacts, and of course the environmental cost.

The study reveals that the indirect benefits generated by Thalys between Paris, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Western Germany amount to 140 million euros. Transportation as a whole accounts for 20% of CO2 emissions in Europe, and reducing its impact on the greenhouse effect is particularly complex.

This issue has been highlighted by the authorities and will be a central focus of COP21. For their part, consumers now have access to accurate information—including through eco-comparison tools—yet their behavior appears to be only slightly influenced by this knowledge. That is why Carbone 4 has chosen to go beyond carbon footprint calculations to paint a more comprehensive picture.

More details about this study can be found here.