The ecological transformation of DB Group
Transporting more people and goods by rail is an important lever for achieving German and European climate protection goals. After all, rail is already one of the most climate-friendly modes of transport today. To secure the future viability of Deutsche Bahn and strengthen its own business model, DB is expanding this competitive advantage.
Sustainability is a central component of Deutsche Bahn’s business model and a key commitment to its customers, society, and the government. Electrified rail is already one of the most climate-friendly modes of transportation. Deutsche Bahn aims to further expand this competitive advantage and support its customers in achieving their own climate protection goals. That is why DB is focused on implementing its ecological, economic, and social goals, thereby ensuring the Group’s long-term viability.
In view of the most pressing challenges posed by climate change, Deutsche Bahn is focusing on climate protection and climate resilience. At the same time, DB is working with its stakeholders to promote the responsible use of resources, protect biodiversity, and reduce noise pollution for local residents.
Further information on the ecological transformation of DB Group
As an operator of critical infrastructure and as an organiza tion with high land use, DB Group is strongly affected by the current and future impacts of climate change. We are there fore preparing for a higher baseline stress and increasing extreme weather events and are continuing to further devel op our climate resilience management strategically and operationally.
We aim to be climate-neutral by 2040. We have set our selves interim targets for this. In our decarbonization strat egy, we adhere to the science-based Corporate Net-Zero Standard of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
The gradual decarbonization of DB Group’s activities is also important for its future financial performance, as it should help to secure its future viability on the path to an increasingly decarbonized economy.
In order to achieve our net-zero target with our interim targets in Scopes 1 to 3 and avoid transition risks, we are relying on four levers:
- Increasing the share of renewable energies,
- Phasing out diesel and electrifying tracks,
- Increasing energy efficiency and
- Using emission-reduced building materials.
Together with the Federal Government, DB Group intends to invest heavily in the modernization of the rail infrastructure in the coming years. Due to the extremely extensive con struction activities in particular, there is therefore very high demand for resources (especially for concrete ties, track bal last and rail steel), which can contribute to the depletion of certain primary raw materials (e.g. iron ore, basalt, sand). This impact is also associated with greenhouse gas emissions in the supply chain, which we address as part of our net zero target. We are therefore planning to make greater use of low-emission building materials in the coming years. In this way, DB Group is combining its climate protection measures with circular economy strategies.
After operational safety, protecting the environment and nature is a top priority for us – from planning and construction to the operation and maintenance of infrastructure. That is why DB is working to improve the compatibility of railway operational requirements and nature conservation.
To counteract the loss of biodiversity, DB Group acts accord ing to the principle of the mitigation hierarchy. Firstly, neg ative impacts on nature must be avoided as far as possible. Where interventions are unavoidable due to operation and operational safety, measures are taken to minimize these impacts. Suitable compensation measures are taken in accor dance with the statutory provisions for any remaining neg ative impacts, for example by creating mitigation and compensation areas in accordance with nature conservation law.
The transport of goods and people by rail causes noise emissions. In order to reduce noise and thus increase acceptance of rail traffic, DB Group and the Federal Government have set themselves the goal of relieving resi dents affected by rail traffic noise.
By 2030, we are committed to working with the Federal government to reduce rail noise for more than 800,000 residents as part of our noise remediation program. That is more than half of all residents who currently live near affected routes. By 2050, we want to have reduced rail transport noise for all affected residents.
With around 209,000 employees in Germany alone (DB Group including DB Schenker), millions of customers and numerous business partners, the DB Group occupies a central position in society. In addition to ecological and economic aspects, our commitment to social issues is also an integral part of our holistic approach to sustainability. Our social commitment is characterized by four standpoints that provide guidance for us and our stakeholders. They correspond to our fundamental convictions and our social value compass at DB Group:
Strengthening community
Supporting social engagement
Promoting diversity
Responsibility for our history
Our social responsibility is guided by a clear vision and a systematic approach. This is because our values are underpinned by various focal points, each involving numerous activities and initiatives. These make our social impact concrete and tangible.