Policies (E2-1)
Protecting the environment and nature is a high priority for DB Group. This is why we constantly address our environmental impacts, including the emission of air pollutants, which cannot currently be completely avoided in freight and passenger transport and in our construction activities. Emissions of air pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter in energy generation, are also a key issue for us in the upstream value chain. As air pollutant emissions can have a negative impact on the health of the local population, we implement various policies to ensure compliance with legal requirements and to record and reduce our environmental impact both in our own operations and in the upstream value chain as much as possible.
The policies described below – the Group guideline on risk minimization, the policy statement on protecting and respecting human rights and the DB Code of Conduct for Business Partners – do not focus exclusively on air pollution, but deal with this topic together with other environmental impacts as part of a broader environmental context. These three policies were adopted by the Management Board, which bears overall responsibility for their compliance and effectiveness. The policies are available in DB’s Group regulations database.
Framework guideline on environmental management
Environmental impacts associated with our own operations, including air pollutant emissions, are regularly reviewed and assessed using our environmental management systems. Further information can be found under Policies (E1-2).
To avoid incidents and emergency situations that could have a negative impact on people and the environment, employees are regularly trained in the proper handling of environmentally harmful substances, such as particulate matter and volatile organic compounds, and the legal requirements, and are prepared for emergencies. Furthermore, environmental legislation in Germany and Europe provides for numerous protective measures aimed at reducing and limiting potential impacts on people and the environment.
Policy statement on protecting and respecting human rights
DB Group commits itself to sustainable and responsible corporate governance in its policy statement on protecting and respecting human rights. The statement sets out how the human rights and environmental due diligence obligations are implemented and regularly reviewed in accordance with the requirements of the Act on Corporate Due Diligence Obligations in Supply Chains (Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtengesetz; LkSG). It also contains a commitment to compliance with internationally recognized human rights and environmental standards. These include the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact (UNGC) and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. The latter contain explicit requirements on air pollution. The policy statement applies on a Group-wide basis and relates to the scope of application of the LkSG. The policy statement makes it clear that DB Group has comprehensive preventive measures in place to avoid environmental and human-rights-related incidents. If a violation of obligations is nevertheless identified, including causing harmful air pollution, appropriate remedial measures must be taken immediately. Further information can be found under Policies (S2-1).
Group Guideline on risk minimization
We have defined Group-wide minimum standards for identifying and minimizing risks and assigned clear responsibilities in the Group guideline on risk minimization. The Group guideline includes the implementation of due diligence obligations in accordance with the LkSG. To fulfill these due diligence obligations, DB Group operates an appropriate and effective LkSG risk management system. The aim is to identify, prevent or reduce human rights and environmental risks at an early stage, both in our own operations and along the supply chain. This also includes the prohibition on causing harmful air pollution set out in the LkSG. Remedial action is taken in the case of human rights violations or environmental damage that has already occurred. The effectiveness of risk management is reviewed at least once a year and on an ad hoc basis by the LkSG officers of the Group companies subject to the LkSG in conjunction with the local LkSG coordinators.
The Group guideline on risk minimization applies on a Group-wide basis. Each Group company that has obligations under the LkSG in its own right is responsible for fulfilling its due diligence obligations under the LkSG. Further information can be found in the “Workers in the value chain (S2)” chapter under Policies (S2-1).
In addition to the LkSG-related part of the Group guideline, it defines clear responsibilities in the area of environmental protection, including air-related aspects, and refers to the framework guideline on the environmental management system with regard to implementation.
DB Code of Conduct for Business Partners
We have further developed our social and environmental responsibility in numerous product group strategies in line with the Group’s objectives and firmly anchored it in our procurement processes. We take sustainability matters into account as suitability, performance, evaluation or implementation criteria in the context of tender procedures.
The DB Code of Conduct for Business Partners and our procurement policy form the basis for sustainability-oriented procurement decisions and for the sustainable alignment of our supply chains. The Code of Conduct defines binding standards, for example in the area of environmental protection. Among other things, it stipulates that no harmful air pollution may be caused. In this way, the Code creates a clear framework that systematically guides the sustainable actions of us and our business partners throughout the supply chain. Further information on the Code of Conduct for Business Partners can be found in the “Workers in the value chain (S2)” chapter under Policies (S2-1).
Further information on how the Code of Conduct addresses the reporting of incidents and emergency situations for people and the environment can be found under Actions (E2-2).