Zero Emissions Day: Towards a more climate-friendly future

Taking the train is one way to actively contribute to climate protection, since rail transport is the most climate-friendly mode of transport. The share of renewable energy sources in Deutsche Bahn’s traction current mix was already about 62% last year, and is set to reach 100% by 2038. Through its work, DB Engineering & Consulting is making an important contribution to Strong Rail and has given climate-friendly mobility a high priority.

Rail transport generates significantly lower emissions of gases that are harmful to the environment than road transport. And if more people make a switch from cars to trains, even after Zero Emissions Day is over, highways and parking lots in cities can be reclaimed and turned into green spaces. Through our efforts, we are helping to make this a reality, for instance, by boosting our expertise in tram transport to help create greener and more livable urban spaces. Recently, we completely redesigned a ten-lane road in Karlsruhe as part of a combined solution. The space that was gained is now used for a tram line, bike lanes and a tree-lined avenue.

By making 2022 the European Year of Greener Cities, the European Parliament has recognized the importance of sustainable and environmentally friendly urban planning. Under the auspices of DB E&C, numerous station and metro projects are being completed, with DB E&C also designing one of Germany’s most modern logistics centers in Arnstadt.

We are implementing new mobility concepts in Germany and around the world. Our goal is to avoid the use of fossil fuels such as oil, gas or coal and to minimize, and ideally eliminate, the consumption of electricity generated from fossil fuels. In Brazil, DB E&C is helping one of the country’s largest logistics companies, Vale S.A., explore options for introducing emission-reducing technologies in rail operations. And in the USA, our colleagues at DB E.C.O. North America are providing technical assistance in efforts to make rail and freight transport carbon neutral in the future.

Is one day enough to raise awareness about the impact of our daily emissions? Certainly not, but every additional day that people around the world help to create zero-emission mobility is a milestone on the path to a more climate-friendly future. That’s what we are working towards – 365 days a year.