Climate protection
Climate protection
A sustainable shift in the mode of transport to rail is required in order for the German and European climate protection targets to be achieved. After all, electrified rail transport is one of the most climate-friendly forms of mass mobility. We intend to further reinforce this competitive advantage with our ambitious net zero target.
We want to become climate-neutral and we have committed to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions across the entire value chain to net zero by 2040, i.e. a reduction in Scope 1 to 3 emissions of at least 90% compared to 2019.
We aim to neutralize the residual emissions that are difficult or impossible to avoid, which amount to no more than 10%, from 2040 onwards. This goal was confirmed by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in March 2025. In our decarbonization strategy, we adhere to the SBTi’s science-based net zero standard and thus follow a 1.5 °C path as defined by the SBTi.
In order to achieve our net zero target with our interim targets in Scopes 1 to 3, we are relying on four levers:
- Increasing the share of renewable energies,
- Phasing out diesel and electrifying lines,
- Increasing energy efficiency, and
- Using low-emissions building materials.
In the first half of 2025, the previous “heat transition” lever was assigned to the “Increasing the share of renewable energies” and “Increasing energy efficiency” levers. “Using low-emissions building materials” was defined as a new lever.