We want to provide transparent information on the progress of the green transformation and our social responsibility in order to secure the trust of our stakeholders. For this purpose, we at Deutsche Bahn also rely on sustainability indicators. Our sustainability work is assessed by impartial rating agencies on a regular basis, and we are compared to other companies using objective criteria in international rankings. We also publish information on the green transformation in multiple places, such as our annual Integrated Report, which is certified by an independent audit.
Climate protection
Our climate protection goal is to be completely climate neutral by 2040. And we will have reduced CO2 emissions by over 50% by 2030.
DB traction current mix– in %
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regional rail passenger transport (g/pkm) | 46,1 | 46,9 | 76,5 |
| thereof Germany | 44,1 | 44,9 | 74,1 |
| Long-distance rail passenger transport (g/pkm) | 0,6 | 0,9 | 1,4 |
| Bus transport (g/pkm) | 68,1 | 75,5 | 100,4 |
| thereof Germany | 93,8 | 110,5 | 117,2 |
| Rail freight transport (g/tkm) | 18,4 | 15,9 | 17,2 |
| thereof Germany | 20,1 | 14,5 | 16,2 |
Well-to-Wheel (WTW); Scope 1-3; companies in rail transport are included with their own electricity mix or the respective country mixes. Incl. DB Arriva. 2021 may include double balancing for rail freight transport to/from China by DB Cargo and DB Schenker, so values may be slightly higher.
- Since 2018, all passengers on our long-distance electric trains have been traveling on services powered by 100% green energy.
- All trains on the Hamburg S-Bahn network run on renewables. We also converted several regional lines to 100% renewable power in the southern German state of Baden-Württemberg.
- Since 2019, we as Deutsche Bahn have been operating 33 of our stations with 100% green power, including the 15 largest stations – in Berlin, Munich and Cologne, among others.
Nature conservation
We want to maintain a healthy ecosystem by actively creating habitats for endangered plants and animals, and by encouraging biodiversity.
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compensation measures for nature conservation | 60.087 | 53.020 | 46.015 |
| thereof species protection measures | 22.334 | 18.941 | 15.777 |
- In order to make an active contribution to the preservation of the honeybee, we have turned DB land over to private beekeepers free of charge, securing important habitats for over 50 million bees.
- We are one of Germany's largest owners of forests, with total holdings of around 28,000 hectares. One of our woodland sites is near the village of Elm in eastern Hesse. Trees were planted on the embankment flanking the rail line between the towns of Hanau and Fulda a century ago. The area hasn't seen a chainsaw for decades.
- We have cooperated with the Bergwaldprojekt e.V. association, which is dedicated to protecting forests, since 2009. In that time, our employees and trainees have been working together with many volunteers to plant hundreds of thousands of trees to create a resilient mixed forest and a healthier environment.
Resource protection
For us, environmental protection also means using our resources carefully. That is why we have set ourselves an ambitious resource protection target: We intend to implement a full circular economy by 2040. To achieve this goal, we are taking a holistic approach.
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ballast (thousand metric tons) | 3.880 | 3.471 | 3.638 |
| recycling share (in %) | 12,0 | 11,4 | 10,7 |
| Concrete sleepers (in thousand) | 3.475 | 2.089 | 2.590 |
| recycling share (in %) | 8,7 | 13,3 | 10,4 |
| Rail steel (in thousand tons) | 280,4 | 259,0 | 244,4 |
| recycling share (in %) | 24,9 | - | - |
Period 1.10. to 30.9.; data collection process for recycled share of rail steel established in 2023.
- Our ICE trains have a service life of at least 30 years. To ensure that they reach this age, we redesign them after about half their service life, saving up to 80% of the material costs compared to buying new.
- As well as saving time, 3D printing also conserves valuable raw materials. We have already printed over 100,000 parts and replacement parts in more than 500 different applications since 2015.
Noise reduction
We know how important noise reduction is when we think about the people who live along the railroad. Because more traffic on the Strong Rail can only succeed if it is accepted by the people who live directly along the rail lines.
>
20800
additionally noise relieved residents in 2023
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noise remediation (existing network) | |||
| Noise barriers completed (km) | 46,8 | 37,7 | 44,2 |
| Homes with passive measures | 1.750 | 1.484 | 1.820 |
| Noise prevention (new construction and expansion lines) | |||
| Noise barriers completed (km) | 40,2 | 33,2 | 41,2 |
| Homes with passive measures | 1.060 | 33,2 | 590 |
Lines with noise remediation measures – in km
Social responsibility
We accept responsibility for our actions in Germany and in every other country where we do business. As Deutsche Bahn, we are clearly committed to our social responsibility and our role in society.
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DB Group | 29,4 | 27,0 | 25,4 |
Proportion of women among the managers of the companies affected by the Second Management Positions Act (FüPoG II) at the Supervisory Board, Management Board/Management Board, first and second management levels in relation to the organizational structure valid as at 31 December 2023.
