Spain has the world's second longest network of high speed rail lines built and in service. High-Speed Rail (HSR) is usually presented as a sustainable means of transport with huge potential to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy consumption. The majority of studies carried out on this mode of transport have focused on analysing and estimating these savings in terms of network operation, but sometimes ignore the burdens associated with the construction of the infrastructure.

Based on the application of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology, this work integrates into the analysis the construction and maintenance phases of the HSR lines in operation in Spain in 2016 together with their operation during that year, and verifies whether construction is justified in terms of reducing environmental impacts and energy consumption.

This article concludes that the construction of the Levante and Northern corridors is not justified in terms of energy savings and emission reductions due to the low demand and therefore the decision to build new HSR sections should be based on an analysis of demand so that only corridors with high transport demand are built. Furthermore, policymakers should consider other measures related to transport that would lead to considerable and rapid reductions in environmental impacts without the burden of building new infrastructures: e.g. reducing the demand for transport, increasing the occupation of private vehicles, promoting electric traction and the use of electricity from renewable sources.

西班牙拥有世界上第二长的已建成并投入使用的高速铁路网络。高速铁路 (HSR) 通常被视为一种可持续的交通方式，在减少温室气体 (GHG) 排放和能源消耗方面具有巨大潜力。对这种运输方式进行的大多数研究都集中在分析和估计网络运营方面的这些节省上，但有时忽略了与基础设施建设相关的负担。

该工作基于生命周期评估（LCA）方法的应用，将2016年在西班牙运营的高铁线路的建设和维护阶段以及当年的运营情况整合到分析中，并验证建设是否合理减少环境影响和能源消耗的条款。

本文的结论是，由于需求低，莱万特和北部走廊的建设在节能减排方面不合理，因此建设新高铁段的决定应基于需求分析，以便只有走廊建立了高运输需求。此外，政策制定者应考虑与交通相关的其他措施，这些措施将在不承担建设新基础设施的负担的情况下显着迅速减少环境影响：例如减少对交通的需求、增加私家车的占用、促进电力牵引和使用来自可再生能源的电力。