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.
Increasing the share of renewable energies
By 2038 at the latest, we want to operate electrified DB rail transport in Germany entirely with electricity from renewable energy sources. Passengers on our long-distance trains in Germany are already traveling with 100% eco-power No. 1. Since the start of 2025, all stations, maintenance depots, office buildings No. 147 and facilities such as interlockings and switch heaters in Germany that are supplied by DB Energy have been supplied with eco-power. On the way to net zero emissions, we also want to make the heat supply No. 97 for DB buildings more climate-friendly and stop using fossil fuels wherever possible. Accordingly, we are gradually replacing systems powered by fossil fuels with more climate-friendly alternatives when they reach the end of their life cycle. In addition to the 19 locations that we already converted in 2024, about 20 further locations are currently in the planning phase.
Phasing out diesel and electrifying lines
Our path to net zero includes eliminating the use of fossil fuels. As part of our decarbonization strategy, we are therefore pressing ahead with the further electrification of our rail network, among other things. Already, more than 90% of our rail passenger and freight transport in Germany (based on weight-related ton kilometers – Ltkm) is carried out electrically. However, there will still be sections of track in future that cannot be electrified due to geographical or operational characteristics. In these cases, we are adopting an approach that is open to all technologies, with the use of alternative drives and fuels to replace fossil diesel.
When it comes to alternative fuels, DB Group is currently focusing on the biofuel HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) No. 164 as a bridging technology and immediate climate protection measure. The HVO used by DB Group is produced exclusively from biological residues and waste materials and generates about 90% fewer accounted greenhouse gas emissions than conventional diesel. The bundling and coordination of the HVO ramp-up is taking place as part of the diesel phase-out rail (Dieselausstieg Schiene; DaS) program. This also involves the testing and roll-out of alternative drive systems. This is the only way to realize low-emissions rail transport in the long-term. For example, DB Vehicle Maintenance and the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Applied Materials Research (IFAM) intend to establish a test center for the conversion and testing of hydrogen combustion engines in Bremen. This was agreed by DB Group and the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen in a memorandum of understanding in April 2025. The initial aim is to research how current combustion engines can be converted to run on hydrogen. A call for tenders for the engine test stand, in which combustion engines are to be tested under real conditions, ran until the end of June 2025.
Increasing energy efficiency
We want to ensure that we use energy as efficiently as possible. The Green Rail Technology program plays an important role in this respect. Among other things, it promotes the topic of energy efficiency in vehicles and infrastructure.
In order to reduce DB Group’s greenhouse gas emissions, we are focusing on measures such as the continued modernization of our vehicle fleet and reducing our energy consumption. For example, our trains use brake energy recovery No. 19. We also train and support our drivers in energy-efficient driving No. 8 by continuously expanding the use of driver assistance systems. At the end of 2024, DB Cargo completed a project that further developed the existing LEADER driver assistance system for use in diesel locomotives. The use of the system in main line locomotives has generated average fuel savings per power kilometer of 4.5%. In the first half of 2025, five diesel main line locomotives were equipped with the LEADER driver assistance system, and preparations were made for its roll-out across the entire fleet. By the end of 2025, a total of 60 diesel main line locomotives are to be equipped with the system.
To increase the energy productivity of buildings and facilities, we are also automating manual work steps and optimizing processes.
Using low-emissions building materials
On the way to net zero by 2040, we intend to further reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, however, we are expanding our construction activities on the rail network. This causes additional emissions, particularly in Scope 3. To minimize these emissions, we aim to make greater use of low-emissions building materials. For this we also rely on strong partnerships such as the Railway Construction Initiative for the Future (ZIB). As part of our long-standing partnership with the construction industry and planners in ZIB, an overall cluster meeting took place in March 2025. The focus was on the topic of “Green planning, construction and operation even in economically and politically challenging times.”