Sustainability

As an environmental pioneer, DB offers products that set the standard for efficient use of available resources.

We are determined that a company’s success means more than just economic performance. For this reason we aim to strike a balance between economic, social and environmental pillars.

Society is facing ever greater pressure to protect the environment. The transportation sector in particular is being called on to make a considerable contribution to these efforts. DB Cargo aspires to lead the way in the environmental protection movement. We want to become the leading green logistics services provider and prove that CO2 emissions can indeed be reduced as transport grows. In addition to reducing CO2 emissions, we are greatly expanding our material and resource protection activities and are working to considerably reduce the noise pollutin caused by rail activities.

Reducing emissions

DB Cargo supports the DB Group to reduce specific CO2 emissions by 20 percent between 2006 and 2020. To reach this goal, it has launched a variety of initiatives and is continuing to expand its range of green products.

Acting with the environment in mind is an important issue at DB Cargo, which is supported through initiatives in the business units. Examples include continuing to improve the capacity utilization of our modes of transportation, modernizing our equipment and facilities across the board, using a low-emission fleet and teaching our drivers energy-saving driving techniques.

DB Cargo already offers Eco Solutions for every mode of transportation, allowing customers to reduce, compensate for or avoid CO2 emissions altogether along the entire supply chain. We offer a CO2-free product for rail transport and can cut CO2 emissions by up to 20 percent in air freight and up to 50 percent in ocean freight. Environmentally friendly solutions are also available for land transport and contract logistics using energy-efficient, sustainable warehouses. DB Cargo can make the CO2 footprint of its customers’ supply chains transparent and can offer recommendations for optimization.

Protecting materials and resources

Our vision is to generate all traction current from renewable sources by 2050. The first step is to increase the percentage of renewable energy to 35 percent by 2020.

Additionally, we aim to put the majority of the materials and resources we use back into the materials cycle, thus increasing the recycling rate. We have implemented in-house recycling programs and a reusable packaging system in contract logistics, for example.

Reducing noise pollution

We are continuing to focus on our goal of cutting 2010 rail noise levels in half by 2020. As a responsible member of society, we value the proactive development of solutions in this area. DB Cargo is making long-term investments in retrofitting its freight car fleet with quiet composite brake blocks.