Our green railway stations

At Deutsche Bahn, climate protection begins even before you board the train. It starts at our train stations, where sustainability plays a major role. Deutsche Bahn's green stations are an innovative concept that combines modern environmental standards with a high level of convenience for our customers. We build our stations with resource-saving materials and use modern technology and energy from renewable sources to run them.

Our green stations set a climate protection example thanks to the combination of these different components. Stations cover their own energy needs for heating, hot water and lighting using renewable energy from geothermal, solar thermal or photovoltaic systems, for example. Green roofs improve thermal insulation and collect rainwater. But that's not all: Smart daylight and artificial lighting concepts and LED lighting reduce the amount of energy that stations need. In addition, eco-friendly building materials are part of our green stations' DNA – from the timber roof structure and regional building materials to the sustainable materials used throughout the buildings.

We opened the first green station in Kerpen-Horrem, North Rhine-Westphalia, back in 2014. The second is in Lutherstadt Wittenberg, Saxony-Anhalt. And we have begun construction on our next green station, in Bitterfeld. Recycled aluminum, a photovoltaic system and climate-friendly district heating will make the station a future standout in climate protection.

Small green station: first pilot station opened

We also want to build more sustainably at smaller locations. Our architects at DB Station&Service have developed a modular system for this. The modular timber construction method saves resources and makes building easier and faster. It cuts CO₂ emissions in half compared to conventional construction using reinforced concrete.

We combine elements to meet each location's specific needs. The prefabricated elements are delivered and assembled on site in just a few weeks. The result is a building concept that ensures that every station fits the local conditions and meets the needs of our passengers as best as possible. Station operations are also sustainable. For example We reduce CO₂ emissions by using photovoltaic systems, a battery bank from DB's own start-up encore and heat pumps.

In December 2023, we inaugurated the first of these small green stations in Zorneding in Bavaria. The pilot in Zorneding is now being followed by the next sustainable station building near Munich. The small green station in Haar has been in operation since the beginning of July 2024. Just like in Zorneding, the passenger building in the municipality of Haar is made entirely of prefabricated wooden elements and is operated in a climate-friendly manner thanks to a heat pump and photovoltaic system. A huge round window at the front provides sufficient daylight and thus reduces the need for artificial light. Environmentally friendly glazes were also used for the paintwork. The two small green stations will not be the only ones. Further locations are being examined throughout Germany.

This new concept will make it possible for us to build sustainably and cost-effectively even at smaller stops and at stations without passenger buildings. Thanks to our green stations, we're making a valuable contribution to saving resources and protecting the climate.

The concept of design of the small green stations was awarded the German Transport Turnaround Prize in November 2024. DB received the special prize in the building culture category for its innovative and sustainable ideas to make public transport more attractive and create a better quality of stay.