Environment
Protecting and conserving the natural environment
The railway network and the natural environment co-exist. At Metro, it’s important we make environmentally responsible decisions that consider both current and future impacts to help protect and conserve the natural environment within which we operate.
Metro has an Environmental and Sustainability Policy and ISO 14001 certified Environmental Management System to identify and manage environmental risks and impacts from our operation.
Metro become the first rail operator to achieve an Infrastructure Sustainability Council (ISC) IS Operations Rating of ‘Excellent’ in 2020. The IS Rating tool measures sustainability performance across 15+ environmental, social and governance categories.
Metro is the winner of the 2026 ISC Project Award for Excellence in Governance Outcomes – a testament to the commitment and collaboration of teams across Metro, who continue to embed sustainability into the way we plan, build and operate. Find out more at Infrastructure Sustainability Council.
Climate Change
Public transport plays a key part in net zero emissions.
Climate change is one of the world’s most pressing issues, posing risks and significant impacts to a broad range of human and natural systems and economic growth.
We are committed to further improving our operational sustainability performance and partnering with the Department of Transport and Planning on renewable energy, greenhouse gas emission reduction opportunities and climate change adaptation.
Key initiatives include:
- Station LED lighting upgrades
- Progressive transitioning of fleet of vehicles to electric vehicles
- Electrification of plant and equipment
- Retrofitting first rooftop solar system at Glenbervie Station
- Elimination of diesel consumption and emissions, by using repurposed Comeng trains to haul Metro’s track and asset inspection vehicle instead of diesel locomotives.
Biodiversity
We’re protecting and restoring biodiversity values.
Railway corridors play an important biodiversity function across our city and rural landscapes.
The railway network retains some of Australia’s rarest biodiversity values, including unique flora and fauna habitat and plant communities. The radial layout of the network also means it plays an important role in connecting larger habitat nodes across greater Melbourne.
Metro is delivering an industry leading biodiversity initiative known as the Biodiversity Management Plan. This program works to protect and restore sites of biodiversity significance (biosites) across the network, through delivery of site-specific ecological restoration.
Circular Railway Operations
A sustainable network for the future.
Efficient use of resources and transitioning to a circular economy are key aspects of making sure our railway can operate sustainably for future generations.
Since launching Metro’s first Circular Economy Strategy in 2024, Metro has delivered initiatives across the business to align with three strategic objectives.
1. Supporting asset longevity:
- Repurposed soon-to-retire Comeng trains to haul Metro’s track and asset inspection vehicle, previously hauled by diesel locomotives.
2. Reducing the need for raw materials and associated carbon emissions:
- Use of low-carbon sleepers as a business-as-usual practice in track renewal program
- Resurfaced West Richmond Station platform with asphalt that has recycled content.
3. Minimising waste to landfill:
- Applied recycled paint for station structures in collaboration with Paintback Australia at Ruthven Station
- Installed recycled plastic Tactile Ground Surface Indicators.