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
Deutsche Bahn will be climate neutral by 2040 in accordance with the Net-Zero Standard of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), following a 1.5-degree compliant reduction pathway.
DB traction current mix (preview) – in %
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Rail network operations | 4.684 | 4.966 |
| Passenger Stations | 2.336 | 2.333 |
| Maintenance of rolling stock (facilities) | 2.653 | 2.721 |
| Other | 2.898 | 3.227 |
| Total | 12.570 | 13.248 |
Individual values are rounded and may therefore not sum up exactly.
- Since 2018, all passengers on our long-distance electric trains have been traveling on services powered by 100 % green energy.
- In Baden-Württemberg and Schleswig-Holstein, travelers in regional and local transport are powered by 100 % green electricity, provided the rail transport operates with electric traction.
- Since early 2025, all stations, maintenance facilities, office buildings, and facilities of Deutsche Bahn in Germany supplied by DB Energie have been powered by 100 % green electricity. This also includes signal boxes, switch heating systems, and track field lighting.
Nature conservation
We want to maintain a healthy ecosystem by actively creating habitats for endangered plants and animals, and by encouraging biodiversity.
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compensation measures for nature conservation | 67.035 | 60.087 | 53.020 |
| thereof species protection measures | 25.590 | 22.334 | 18.941 |
Compensation measures recorded in the system that have already been implemented or are planned for implementation.
- 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.
- 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.
Resource protection
By 2040, Deutsche Bahn aims to have established a circular economy. This means that the DB Group intends to use raw materials sparingly and keep them in the value chain for as long as possible. As a result, the recycling share of key resources such as rail steel, track ballast, and concrete ties will be significantly increased in the coming years. Additionally, the overall recycling rate will be maintained at a high level of at least 95 percent.
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rail steel (thousand t) | 247,1 | 280,4 | 259,0 |
| recycling share (in %) | 25,6 | 24,9 | - |
| Track ballast (thousand t) | 3.236 | 3.880 | 3.471 |
| recycling share (in %) | 11,1 | 12,0 | 11,4 |
| Concrete ties (thousand) | 3.053 | 3.475 | 2.089 |
| recycling share (in %) | 8,5 | 8,7 | 13,3 |
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 150,000 parts and replacement parts in more than 700 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.
>
34300
additionally noise relieved residents in 2024
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noise remediation (existing network) | |||
| Noise barriers completed (km) | 69,1 | 46,8 | 37,7 |
| Homes with passive measures | 2.056 | 1.750 | 1.484 |
| Noise prevention (new and expansion lines) | |||
| Noise barriers completed (km) | 15,2 | 40,2 | 33,2 |
| Homes with passive measures | 581 | 1.060 | 714 |
Total noise-remediated lines as of Dec 31 – 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.
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DB Group | 31,5 | 29,4 | 27,0 |
Including DB Schenker (discontinued business segment). 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 of 31 December 2023.
External new hires in Germany (excluding trainees) / in headcount (NP)
