Air quality control
Absolute airborne pollutants from journeys | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
Particulate emissions | 5,758 | 6,336 | 6,746 | |
Nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions | 102,324 | 123,371 | 134,335 | |
Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emissions | 13,350 | 46,354 | 46,934 | |
Hydrocarbon (NMHC) emissions | 7,203 | 9,201 | 9,519 | |
Combustion-related, well-to-wheel (WTW), scope 1―3.
Our target was to reduce harmful, combustion-related soot particulate emissions produced by our rail and road vehicles by 55 % by 2020 compared to 2010. We exceeded this target: we reduced emissions by 61.4 % in 2020 (previous year: 56.1 %). The ongoing modernization of our vehicle fleet is our main action in this area. The high electrification rate of our rail network also plays a key role here because the vehicles themselves do not produce local pollutant emissions, except for abraded particles; emissions are only produced remotely when electricity is generated. The calculation is based on the fuel consumption and composition of our vehicle fleets. We have been exclusively using low-emissions construction vehicles and machinery no. 11 at our urban construction sites since mid-2018.
Our combustion-related pollutant emissions are largely influenced by our ocean freight activities, which emit over 84 % of soot particles. We also constantly strive to make improvements in this area in cooperation with carriers. In addition, stricter statutory regulations on sulfur content in fuels have been in force worldwide in shipping since January 2020. These new regulations aim to reduce air pollutants, in particular sulfur dioxide.