To achieve Germany’s and Europe’s climate protection goals, a sustainable shift in transportation to rail is essential. After all, electrified rail transport is already among the most climate-friendly modes of mass transportation. Deutsche Bahn seeks to enhance this advantage and has set an ambitious target.
Deutsche Bahn will become climate-neutral by 2040 and has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions across the entire value chain to net-zero by 2040. This goal was validated by the renowned Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and confirmed in March 2025.
In its decarbonization strategy, DB adheres to the science-based net-zero standard of the SBTi, thus following a 1.5-degree pathway, which it committed to with the SBTi back in 2022.
In addition to its net-zero goal by 2040, DB has interim targets confirmed by the SBTi:
- In its own operations: By 2034, Deutsche Bahn will reduce its absolute greenhouse gas emissions in Scope 1 and 2 by 66 percent compared to 2019.
- In the upstream and downstream value chain: By 2034, Deutsche Bahn will reduce absolute emissions from energy- and fuel-related activities (Scope 3.3) by 40 percent and emissions from the use of sold fossil fuels (Scope 3.11) by 63 percent. Furthermore, by 2029, 66 percent of suppliers (by emissions volume) of the DB Group’s purchased goods, services, and capital goods (Scope 3.1/3.2) will have adopted science-based emissions targets — a so-called Supplier Engagement Target. Together, these Scope 3 categories account for about 90 percent of DB’s Scope 3 emissions.
Deutsche Bahn is advancing decarbonization with business-unit-specific reduction pathways based on absolute greenhouse gas emissions. It has identified four specific levers to achieve its net-zero targets according to SBTi.
With
4
powerful levers
to climate neutrality
Lever 1: Increasing the Share of Renewable Energy
Rail electricity: By 2038, DB will convert its rail electricity supply to 100 percent green electricity. Even now, travelers using DB’s long-distance trains in Germany ride with 100 percent renewable electricity. In regional and local transport, passengers are also already traveling climate friendly. For instance, on the Hamburg and Berlin suburban railroads, as well as in Baden-Württemberg and Schleswig-Holstein, regional rail services powered by electric traction use 100 percent green electricity.
Stationary facilities: Since early 2025, all train stations, maintenance facilities, office buildings, and other facilities in Germany supplied by DB Energie will rely on 100 percent green electricity. This also includes signal boxes, switch heaters, and railway yard lighting systems.
Lever 2: Phasing Out Diesel
To achieve net-zero, DB’s decarbonization strategy emphasizes further electrifying the rail network. Currently, over 90 percent of rail transport volume in Germany are already electrically powered. This figure will continue to rise in collaboration with the federal government. However, there will still be route sections where freight and passenger travel can't always utilize electricity due to geographical or operational challenges. DB is therefore focusing on a technology-neutral approach with alternative drive systems and fuels to replace fossil diesel.
Alternative fuels: DB is increasingly using alternative fuels to keep diesel-powered vehicles running without requiring technical upgrades. This sustainable and resource-efficient approach prevents fully operational trains and locomotives from being retired prematurely. The focus is currently on HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil). The increased use of biofuel will significantly reduce the need for conventional diesel in the coming years. HVO is made exclusively from biological residues and waste and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by about 90 percent compared to conventional diesel.
Alternative drives: DB is also testing low-emission alternatives to traditional diesel drives. For instance, DB has collaborated with Siemens Mobility to develop an innovative hydrogen system comprising fuel stations, trains, and maintenance infrastructure. Battery-powered trains are also being piloted, with corresponding infrastructure under development. These battery-powered units rely on rechargeable energy storage systems to operate on non-electrified tracks, enabling climate-friendly mobility.
Lever 3: Implementing the Heat Transition
In line with its net-zero goal, DB is transitioning entirely away from fossil energy sources for heating. To achieve this, DB is developing various strategies and measures. Aging oil heating systems are not simply replaced like-for-like but are instead substituted with climate-friendly alternatives.
Furthermore, Deutsche Bahn conducts site-specific analyses, develops exit plans, and charts implementation paths to 2040. Alternatives to fossil-based systems include heat pumps and geothermal solutions.
Lever 4: Improving Energy Efficiency
Deutsche Bahn is committed to continuously increasing its use of green electricity while also using energy as efficiently as possible. After all, the most environmentally friendly electricity is the electricity that isn’t consumed.
A pivotal element in this strategy is DB’s Green Rail Technology program. This corporate initiative advances sustainable and efficient railway production for both vehicles and infrastructure, positively impacting DB's financials and significantly reducing CO2e emissions.
Efficient vehicles: To enhance fleet energy efficiency, DB focuses on initiatives like passenger-independent climate control systems, driver training for energy-efficient operation, and regenerative braking systems that feed energy back into the grid. At the same time, DB is laying the technical foundation for future energy-efficient processes.
Efficient infrastructure: To improve productivity at stationary facilities, DB is automating processes and improving workflows. Innovations such as self-closing hall doors help reduce heat loss and save heating energy. Additionally, introducing innovative paint systems that dry at room temperature cuts energy costs and CO2e emissions.
Reducing Scope 3 Emissions
Like all major technology-driven companies, Deutsche Bahn faces the challenge of significantly reducing its Scope 3 emissions in the coming years. These indirect emissions along the value chain cannot be directly avoided or reduced by the company alone. This is why DB actively collaborates with suppliers and business partners to identify and implement solutions together.
