# Railway electrification and wireless power: Impact on the biosphere

Clean air on the platform, but birds that hit the wires

Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_rail_wireless/biosphere/

What this tab covers Effects on human, animal, plant, fungal and microbial life and on whole ecosystems: in the short term (construction and early years), medium term (operating life) and long term (decommissioning and legacy).

Electric trains cut local air pollution to zero at the point of use and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 60% against diesel in the UK. The main direct wildlife risk is birds colliding with or being electrocuted on catenary; for wireless charging and beaming there is little field evidence yet.
 Emissions cut, electric against diesel trains (UK) about 60% now, about 80% with 2040 grid mix^[3](https://www.riagb.org.uk/RIA/RIA/Newsroom/Publications Folder/Electrification_Cost_Challenge_Report.aspx) Bird collision reduction from pole screens 32% for small and medium species in one study^[10](https://www.handbook.iene.info/handbook/5-solutions/5-10-measures-to-reduce-impacts-in-other-transport-modes/5-10-1-railway-electrification-system/) Catenary height about 5 to 8.5 m^[10](https://www.handbook.iene.info/handbook/5-solutions/5-10-measures-to-reduce-impacts-in-other-transport-modes/5-10-1-railway-electrification-system/)

#### Effects over time

| Life affected | Short term | Medium term | Long term |
|---|---|---|---|
| **Humans**^[3](https://www.riagb.org.uk/RIA/RIA/Newsroom/Publications Folder/Electrification_Cost_Challenge_Report.aspx) | Line closures and works during electrification. | No air pollutants at the point of use and quieter trains for neighbours and passengers. | Little evidence of effect. |
| **Animals**^[10](https://www.handbook.iene.info/handbook/5-solutions/5-10-measures-to-reduce-impacts-in-other-transport-modes/5-10-1-railway-electrification-system/) | Disturbance from works along the corridor. | Birds collide with catenary 5 to 8.5 m high, especially on high-speed lines, and birds of prey and owls are electrocuted when perching on masts; species include buzzards, barn owls, eagle owls, kites and eagles. No mortality totals are given. | Little evidence of effect. |
| **Plants**^[10](https://www.handbook.iene.info/handbook/5-solutions/5-10-measures-to-reduce-impacts-in-other-transport-modes/5-10-1-railway-electrification-system/) | Trees and vegetation cleared for wire clearance. | Verge vegetation is managed to keep it clear of wires. | Little evidence of effect. |
| **Fungi and soil life**^[10](https://www.handbook.iene.info/handbook/5-solutions/5-10-measures-to-reduce-impacts-in-other-transport-modes/5-10-1-railway-electrification-system/) | Little evidence of effect. | Little evidence of effect. | Little evidence of effect. |
| **Ecosystems**^[3](https://www.riagb.org.uk/RIA/RIA/Newsroom/Publications Folder/Electrification_Cost_Challenge_Report.aspx) | Little evidence of effect. | Lower emissions than diesel: about 60% less (2019 estimate) and about 80% less with the expected 2040 UK grid. | Little evidence of effect. |

#### How the effects are reduced

Insulating caps on masts stop large perching birds being electrocuted, sealing hollow pole tops stops birds becoming trapped, and screens or earth mounds lift birds' flight path above the wires at known hotspots. Managing verge vegetation reduces hunting by birds of prey near the line, and regular carcass searches show where to act. For wireless and beamed power, exposure limits and beam safety rules are the main controls, but no field studies of wildlife effects were found.

#### Sources

1. [Electrification Cost Challenge](https://www.riagb.org.uk/RIA/RIA/Newsroom/Publications Folder/Electrification_Cost_Challenge_Report.aspx) Railway Industry Association (RIA), 2019
2. [Biodiversity and Infrastructure: a Handbook for Action, section 5.10.1 Railway electrification system](https://www.handbook.iene.info/handbook/5-solutions/5-10-measures-to-reduce-impacts-in-other-transport-modes/5-10-1-railway-electrification-system/) Infra Eco Network Europe (IENE), 2024

## Other sections

- [Summary](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_rail_wireless/index.md)
- [Overview](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_rail_wireless/overview/index.md)
- [Correlation](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_rail_wireless/correlation/index.md)
- [How it works](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_rail_wireless/explain/index.md)
- [Efficiency and losses](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_rail_wireless/efficiency/index.md)
- [Technology advances](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_rail_wireless/advances/index.md)
- [Value chain](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_rail_wireless/valuechain/index.md)
- [Geopolitics and regulation](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_rail_wireless/geopolitics/index.md)
- [Unit economics](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_rail_wireless/economics/index.md)
- [Relationships](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_rail_wireless/links/index.md)