Only 2% of freight between Melbourne and Sydney goes by rail – putting Australia’s emissions targets at risk

For every 1% of freight shifted from truck to rail nationally, an average of $71.9m would be saved annually in terms of environmental damage, road conditions and pollution-related health outcomes. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

Freight transported across Australia by rail has dwindled to such minuscule levels that emissions targets will be unachievable without policies to counter the country’s over-reliance on heavy and polluting trucks, the industry has warned.

The share of non-bulk freight – including manufactured goods, produce, post, foods, drinks and most other items – transported by rail in Australia has now dropped to 17% and just 11% across the eastern seaboard, according to new research released by the Australasian Railway Association (ARA) and Freight on Rail Group, a coalition of operators.