Deutsche Bahn launches environment campaign

4000 trees planted as kick-off / CO2-free travel products as pioneering contribution towards climate protection

Berlin, Deutsche Bahn (DB) has launched a nationwide environment campaign, corroborating its claim to be a particularly climate-friendly transport company. Kick-off for the campaign was in the Thuringian Forest, where 4000 trees were planted this spring with financial backing from DB. Gerold Brehm, DB Management Representative for the Free State of Thuringia, gave the starting signal for the campaign in Sonneberg, where around 20 volunteers from the “Mountain Forest Project” planted beech trees in areas which had been damaged by hurricane Kyrill. This move by DB to establish a forest of mixed-species indigenous trees underlines the mobility and logistics company’s commitment to society and the climate.

The Deutsche Bahn environment campaign testifies to the company’s ambitious climate protection target: by the year 2020, specific CO2 emissions throughout the Group are to be reduced by 20 per cent relative to the 2006 figure. “Less CO2 means lower consumption and more efficient use of energy - and consequently a reduction in costs. Not only that less CO2 also means a higher share of renewable energies in the traction current mix as well as the use of new technologies,” commented Ralf Klein-Bölting, Chief Marketing Officer and Head of Corporate Communication, on the new environment program. “This will benefit the environment, our customers and our business. The ’DB Eco Program’ is intended to raise public awareness of these advantages.”

CO2 -free passenger transport products are one of the innovative new options. DB ensures that the current required for the journey is obtained solely from renewable energy sources, such as hydroelectric power. Although this means a slight increase in costs, it guarantees a further significant benefit for the climate: “Only rail can offer this total avoidance of CO2 emissions,” pointed out Klein-Bölting. There are also plans to introduce CO2-free products for the rail freight sector. Moreover, DB provides its key accounts with an annual balance of the CO2 savings achieved by using rail for their business travel requirements. This is seen as confirmation of the sustainability of their corporate actions, an increasingly important consideration for business enterprises. The new “Travel naturally” range launched by Ameropa, the DB tour operator, offers a selection of sustainable travel products, whether a short holiday trip, city break, or travel to a holiday resort in Germany or abroad.The climate-friendly aspect is that these products include integrated rail travel to the destination, which Ameropa offers at special low fares inclusive of a voucher for on-board catering services.

Energy-saving training programs have already been a fixed item on the agenda of DB train drivers for years. As part of the Deutsche Bahn CO2 savings program, special training courses have now also been introduced for truck drivers. DB Schenker has the cutting edge when it comes to environment friendliness thanks to its access to a fully comprehensive international network which includes all the different transport modes. DB Schenker can consequently offer its customers a modal split which is designed to pay equal attention to economic and ecological aspects. By putting together the optimum combination of environment friendly rail or ship with other transport modes, for example, DB Schenker ensures that energy consumption and CO2 emissions are reduced during the transport.

DB is assertively marketing the products in its green campaign. In adverts featuring the international slogan “DB Eco Program”, these products are indicated by means of a “green corner”. Further information about the environment friendly projects and programs which contribute to DB’s green performance is presented simply, clearly and entertainingly on the Internet at www.dbecoprogram.com. This internet site and its content is now also available in English. On the German language site, there is also a short environmental video clip entitled “Saving the world”, which contains tips and tricks on how to save energy. Users can make their own contribution to the environment together with Deutsche Bahn by forwarding the link to other interested parties, as DB has undertaken to donate ten cents to the non-profit organisation “mountain forest project” (“Bergwaldprojekt e.V.” for each viewer. DB Management Representative Gerold Brehm explains, “This entertaining film will cost us money, but that money will be well invested in the environment. We intend to plant 10,000 trees. The 4000 planted in the Thuringian Forest were only the beginning.” Since 2008, DB has promoted the vast national parks in the Thuringian Forest, in cooperation with other environmental organisations, as attractive choices for an environment friendly outing or holiday as part of the “Destination Nature” program.