Climate protection
Our contribution to climate protection
Climate neutrality by 2040
A sustainable shift in the mode of transport to rail in both passenger and freight transport is required in order for the German and European climate protection targets to be achieved. 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 aim to be climate-neutral by 2040. We have set ourselves interim targets for this. In our decarbonization strategy, we adhere to the science-based Corporate Net-Zero Standard of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and thus follow a 1.5 °C path.
Climate protection target
DB Group’s net-zero target:
- By 2040: We have committed to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions to net zero across the entire value chain, that is a reduction in Scope 1 to 3 emissions of at least 90 % compared to 2019. From 2040, we want to neutralize the residual emissions of no more than 10 % that are difficult or impossible to avoid (i.e. permanently remove them from the atmosphere), in particular from the upstream and downstream value chain.
This target was confirmed by the SBTi in March 2025. Our climate protection target thus follows a 1.5 °C path according to the SBTi, making it consistent with the Paris Agreement and Germany’s climate protection target.
In addition to DB Group’s net-zero target, we have set ourselves interim targets that have also been confirmed by the SBTi.
We intend to reduce our absolute greenhouse gas emissions in our own operations and in the upstream and downstream value chain as follows:
- By 2034:
- 63 % of Scope 1 and 2 emissions,
- 40 % of Scope 3.3 emissions (from energy- and fuel-related activities), and
- 63 % of DB Group’s Scope 3.11 emissions (from the use of fossil fuels sold to third parties) compared to 2019.
- By 2029:
- 66 % of suppliers (according to emissions volume) of DB Group’s purchased goods, services and capital goods (Scope 3.1/3.2) should have science-based emissions reduction targets – this represents our supplier engagement target (SET).
Development of greenhouse gas emissions
| Absolute greenhouse gas emissions compared to 2019 / % | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 and 2 emissions 1) | –21.8 | –19.2 | –11.7 |
| Scope 3 emissions 2) | –1.4 | –17.0 | +8.2 |
| thereof Scope 3.3 emissions 1) | –57.6 | –57.8 | –38.8 |
| thereof Scope 3.11 emissions | –66.6 | –68.6 | –24.2 |
1) Until 2024, only includes DB Fahrzeuginstandhaltung GmbH from the Subsidiaries/Other area and only DB Cargo AG and foreign subsidiaries without their stationary facilities from DB Cargo, and not DB Energy.
2) Including the Scope 3 categories 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4 and 3.11 that are material for DB Group. In 2025, the Scope 3.4 category was expanded for the first time to includetransport-related emissions in connection with purchased goods and capital goods.
We were able to further reduce Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions compared to the base year 2019, in particular through the complete transition of the electricity supply to 100 % renewable energies for our stationary facilities and buildings in Germany supplied by DB Energy. The reduction was primarily driven by the higher share of renewable energies in the DB traction current mix in Germany.
Scope 3 emissions are still below the 2019 level, but have increased compared to the previous year. Against the backdrop of the spend-based estimation approach, the main driver is the significant increase in procurement volumes, particularly for construction services, for example for the construction and conversion of tracks and switches, tunnels, bridges and retaining structures as well as platforms (Scope 3.1/3.2). The interim targets for 2034 in Scope 3.3 and 3.11 were still achieved.
In 2025, we asked our suppliers of purchased goods and services and capital goods (Scope 3.1/3.2) about their climate protection targets for the first time. In 2025, the share of suppliers with science-based emissions targets was about 20 %.
Actions
As one of Germany’s largest energy consumers, it is essential that we take measures to reduce our Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions in order to achieve our climate protection target. In the area of energy, we are focusing on three of our four levers for climate protection. The fourth lever contributes to reducing our Scope 3 emissions.
In their planning, the Group companies take into account the necessary financial requirements in order to implement their energy and climate protection measures to reduce greenhouse gases.
Outlook
| Anticipated development | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Absolute greenhouse gas emissions Scope 1 and 2compared to 2019 (%) | –21.8 | ≤–23 |
| Share of renewable energies in the DB traction current mix in Germany 1) (%) | 71.5 | ≥72 |
1) The data for 2025 constitutes a forecast as of January 2026.
- We expect our absolute Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions to decrease further compared to 2019. This is to be achieved by further increasing the share of renewable energies in the DB traction current mix in Germany and in the traction current mix of our companies in other European countries, by increasing the share of HVO biofuel in our total diesel consumption and by continuously implementing efficiency measures in operations.
A slight increase in the share of renewable energies is expected in 2026.