Join us on a better journey
We think travelling by train is amazing. For more than a century we have been bringing together families and friends across the UK, connecting cities along the East Coast Mainline and providing vital transport links that enable businesses to thrive.
Today LNER’s ambition is to be the most responsible way to travel for generations to come. That’s why we’re working hard to embed sustainability, equality and just practices into everything we do.
On this page you’ll find out more about A Better Journey, our work as a responsible business, and our commitments to our people, our places, and our planet.
Better for People
We want to attract, retain and develop truly world-class talent, as we know our people are fundamental to our success. We recognise that fostering a safe, diverse and inclusive culture where everyone feels a sense of belonging is key to enabling them to thrive. We are also committed to making sure every customer has the best possible experience when they travel with us.
Better for Places
There is a special bond between LNER and each of the communities we serve. Whether we’re sourcing products locally, investing in infrastructure, providing meaningful training for young people or funding charitable programmes, we are committed to supporting the prosperity of the incredible places on our route.
Better for Planet
We’re reducing our impact on the environment and driving urgent action towards net zero carbon emissions by 2045. We’re committed to protecting our natural resources with industry-leading initiatives to minimise waste, increase circular systems and make every aspect of our business as efficient as possible.
Responsible Business Report 2023
Every year we publish a Responsible Business Report with the results of our ongoing commitments to do things better for our people, our places and our planet.
Find out how we’ve been putting sustainability at the heart of our business – reducing our emissions and waste, contributing to the communities we serve and creating a great place to work for our people in the latest edition.
Our approach
As record numbers of customers return to the railway, we are learning to grow our business without increasing our impact. From creating a great place for people to work, to reducing our emissions and waste, and contributing to the communities we serve; our responsible business work is about putting long-term sustainability at the heart of everything we do.
To help us drive positive change, we have created three areas of focus. If something does not serve these wider objectives, then as a business it’s our responsibility to question how we can improve.
Better for people, Better for places and Better for planet provides a framework for change. For each area we have created priorities that helps us navigate the difficult questions and sets out where we should focus our efforts. To deliver real, positive impact we know we must bring every member of LNER, over 3,000 exceptional people, with us on this very important journey.
Responsible Business Chair’s Message
Warrick Dent is LNER’s Safety & Operations Director and Responsible Business Chair. He talks about how we make sure Responsible Business is at the heart of everything we do.
‘It’s no secret that the railway has faced huge challenges in recent times. What has remained constant throughout is our commitment to the environment, our colleagues and customers, and the communities we serve. We continue to make great progress in our quest to be responsible and I’m personally energised to see that we’re no longer shying away from the big, and sometimes uncomfortable questions, as we work towards doing things better.
Our Responsible Business Steering Group includes representatives from across the business and remains a vital conduit for positive change at LNER. The group provides a foundation for strong governance and rigor, it’s a voice to ensure Responsible Business remains top of mind among senior decision makers and helps hold different areas to account.
While delivering on our responsibilities is a key aspect of our Business Plan, A Better Journey is our way of talking openly, with all our stakeholders, about the work we’re doing to be the UK’s most responsible train operator.
We have developed a set of priorities to inform where we should focus our efforts and every year we produce a report on how we are doing against them. While some could argue I’m impatient for us to deliver positive outcomes, I am personally extremely proud of the work we’ve done, and continue to do every day.’
Go green on our route
We don’t want to just celebrate our own green credentials; we are extremely proud of the cities along our route and the work being done make every aspect of travel and exploration better for the environment.
Our Green Guides are filled with tips and contributions from local people, green tourism organisations and colleagues, giving you the inside track on the very best eco-friendly attractions and sustainable places to stay, eat and drink in the fantastic cities along our route.
Know your emissions
Taking the train, especially if you’re in one of our bi-mode Azumas, is one of the most environmentally friendly ways to travel around the UK. We think it’s important that travellers have accurate information about their emissions so they can make the best possible decisions. Our Carbon Calculator tool helps you understand your impact when travelling with us vs taking the car or a plane.
Giving back to the communities we serve
Our Customer and Community Investment Fund (CCIF) works to support charities and causes that do amazing work along our route. It provides vital funding for small and medium sized projects that deliver positive impact to issues that are important to us. These include; mental health, education and employability skills amongst marginalised groups, diversity and inclusion, and environmental sustainability.
Together for Pride
Inclusion is a priority here at LNER for us that means creating a culture where everyone feels able to be their authentic selves and their uniqueness is accepted and celebrated. We also love making our trains stand out from the crowd which is why, to celebrate Pride in 2023, we unveiled a colourful new liveried Azuma called 'Together'. As it runs along the breadth of our route, it's a physical symbol of solidarity and allyship with our LGBTQIA+ colleagues, customers, and communities.
Preventing suicide with CALM
We launched our partnership with Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) back in October 2018 to take a stand against suicide. Since then we’ve helped raise more than £530,000 to support the charity’s vital work.
Our year in numbers
Our reports and policies
Modern slavery and human trafficking statement
Read our full statement to find out how we will combat this issue.
Environmental Policy
LNER is committed to lessening its impact on the environment. This policy identifies aims and goals for our work in this area.
Gender & Ethnicity Pay Gap Report 2023
We want a diverse and balanced workforce where everyone can be themselves and progress their careers with us, regardless of their ethnicity or gender.
Procurement and Supply Chain Policy
LNER has a robust and effective supply chain to help us deliver our services to customers across the East Coast Main line and add value back into the communities we serve along our route.
Sustainable Procurement Commitment
This document explains our dedication to achieving value for money, while also generating societal, economic, and environmental benefits. Read more here.
Making Rail Accessible Commitment
Our Assisted Travel team’s mission in life is to make sure customers with restricted mobility or access have as easy and enjoyable experience with us as everyone else.
Responsible Business Report 2021/22
The second Responsible Business Report builds on the first, and demonstrated how far we came in a year that had been unprecedented for us all.
Responsible Business Report 2020/21
Our first Responsible Business Report came to fruition in 2020/21. It shows our starting point, set the scene and gave us a baseline from which to grow and improve.