The Cork Area Commuter Rail (CACR) programme is set to transform transportation across the region. As the largest investment ever made in Cork’s rail network, it will provide faster, greener connections between Cork and surrounding areas by increasing train capacity and frequency. 

With growing scrutiny on the sustainability benefits of publicly funded transportation projects in Ireland, Iarnród Éireann (IÉ) needs to ensure the CACR programme not only meets Cork’s rising travel demands but also supports long-term climate and sustainability goals.  

Appointed by IÉ, we developed a comprehensive sustainability strategy and developed the tools which will support its implementation across each of the seven work packages within the programme. 

Developing a robust sustainability strategy

Our priority was to develop a sustainability strategy for the programme, aligned to IÉ’s corporate sustainability strategy. This was instrumental in establishing clear sustainability targets for the programme. 

Navigating the regulated rail environment and dealing with multiple stakeholders on such a large-scale programme posed several challenges. Therefore, to develop a robust strategy, our team reviewed national, regional and corporate policies to determine the sustainability context and key drivers. 

We also held virtual workshops with the CACR team to define the sustainability vision, objectives and focus areas for the programme. This helped shape the sustainability approach across the full lifecycle of each of the seven work packages. 

From strategy to action  

Following our successful work on the sustainability strategy – and the strong relationship we developed with IÉ – we were appointed to deliver three other workstreams to help ensure that sustainability would be implemented consistently throughout the entire programme.  

These included: 

  • Sustainability Implementation Plan (SIP): this provided a practical roadmap for IÉ to deliver and measure sustainability outcomes throughout the entire asset lifecycle of each package from design and construction through to operation. It assigned clear responsibilities and actions to achieve the CACR’s broader sustainability targets and offered the tools and resources to do so. 
  • Carbon Management Plan (CMP): we developed a CMP to help the client reduce carbon emissions on each infrastructure package within the programme. By collecting data and establishing a carbon baseline, the CMP enabled IÉ to track and manage emissions reductions across the programme. 
  • KPI, measurement and reporting framework: we worked with IÉ to set KPIs aligned with the programme’s targets as set out in the sustainability strategy. This tool enabled IÉ to consistently track progress and communicate achievements to its board and stakeholders – ensuring transparency and accountability. 

Empowering teams through training and upskilling 

One of the major challenges in the early stages was securing stakeholder buy-in.  

To address this, we collaborated closely with IÉ’s change manager and the broader team to improve their understanding and application of sustainability. This was essential for developing the strategy and enabling its successful rollout, as it helped the client deliver sustainable outcomes and take ownership.  

We also delivered online training sessions, workshops, videos and practical tools to help the IÉ team better understand key sustainability concepts and their importance within the CACR programme. 

With this training, IÉ can now continue to implement best practice sustainability and carbon services long after our work is complete.  

In fact, IÉ has already started including sustainability within tender scope documents for multidisciplinary consultants, requiring a dedicated sustainability lead as part of its tender resourcing.  

Looking beyond the CACR programme: applying a long-term sustainability approach 

The sustainability framework we developed for the CACR programme has empowered IÉ with the tools and expertise needed to drive continuous improvements in sustainability. This will not only advance its sustainability performance but has also fostered innovation in ways previously unexplored within the organisation.  

By delivering tailored resources, expert guidance and practical training, we have strengthened IÉ’s capacity to manage sustainability and improve reporting, as well as building lasting capability within its teams.

Speaking of the project’s success, IÉ’s Sustainability and Stakeholder Engagement Manager, Emma Love, said: “Thanks to AECOM’s support, we’ve successfully integrated sustainability into our decision-making processes. The frameworks and tools they provided allow us to track and manage sustainability effectively throughout the project lifecycle, setting a new standard for how we deliver future infrastructure programmes.”

This will help IÉ ensure that investments made in the rail network realise their targeted benefits, putting rail at the centre of sustainable transport in Ireland.