At 4.2 million tonnes of CO2 emissions saved per year, ÖBB is one of Austria's largest climate protection companies. Rail is per se the most sustainable means of transport. ÖBB Rail Cargo Group (RCG) saves 1.9 million tonnes of CO2 annually through rail freight transport. A modal shift to rail is essential to achieving the climate targets. This, however, involves more than simply increasing the volume of goods on the railways. RCG is also focusing on climate protection and sustainability beyond the modal shift plan, for example, by already using 100 % green traction power in three countries in its own traction operations – Austria, Germany and now also the Czech Republic. RCG is now going one step further and making two out of three warehouse locations in Austria climate neutral.
How the RCG locations became climate neutral
Together with the climate protection consultancy ClimatePartner, ÖBB Rail Cargo Group has calculated the corporate carbon footprint (CCF), being the CO2 footprint of the locations. Emission sources such as energy and heating, but also business travel, office supplies, waste and other relevant emissions caused at the locations were taken into consideration. The CCF clearly shows where there is CO2 savings potential. RCG regularly updates the CCF to provide an overview of the success of the reductions. Emissions that cannot be completely avoided are offset by RCG by supporting climate protection projects.
Investment in climate protection projects
The Vienna Freudenau warehouse has RCG investing in regional projects in the Karwendel Nature Park in Austria. In addition, a certified forest protection project in Brazil is supported in order to guarantee the climate neutrality of the warehouse location. This has already offset over 347 tonnes of CO2 emissions. The Lenzing warehouse is climate-neutral through ÖBB Rail Cargo Group's support for wind energy projects in Bandirma, Turkey. This project has already offset over 29 tonnes of CO2. The two RCG warehouse locations in Lenzing and Vienna Freudenau now feature the "Climate Neutral" label, which is tested and awarded by TÜV Austria. The offset is transparent and traceable via the ID number and tracking URL.
Lenzing as a long-standing partner
The Lenzing Group supports the ecologically responsible production of specialty fibres from wood, a renewable raw material. Its innovative product and technology solutions make Lenzing a partner to global textile and non-wovens manufacturers and a driver of numerous new developments. The Lenzing Group's high-quality, biodegradable fibres form the basic material for a wide range of textile applications and are also ideally suited for use in hygiene products. RCG ensures goods transshipment, consignment and the loading and unloading of rail wagons, containers and trucks for Lenzing at the warehouse location. RCG and Lenzing share a long-standing partnership in the rail and warehouse logistics sectors, in addition to the pursuit of sustainable, green solutions.
Rail Cargo Group: the freight transport division of the ÖBB
The Rail Cargo Group is one of the leading rail logistics companies in Europe. We are the ones shaping the industry – 365 days a year – 24 hours a day. Across Europe and beyond into Asia. We connect people, businesses and markets – from the first to the last mile. It’s thanks to our 9,393 members of staff from 34 nations located in 18 different countries that 460,000 trains a year, which means 1,260 a day, reach their destinations safe and sound. With our efficient end-to-end logistics services, we transport 95 million net tonnes of freight each year. We have a modal share of 28.2 % of the total freight market in Austria, which makes us top of the league in Europe. Every year, we save the climate from around 1.1 million tonnes of CO2 emissions in Austria. Operational management of the Rail Cargo Group lies with Rail Cargo Austria AG.
ÖBB: Today. Tomorrow. Together.
As a comprehensive mobility and logistics service provider, the ÖBB Group’s eco-friendly transport services brought 287 million passengers and over 95 million tonnes of freight safely to their destinations in 2020. The electricity that powers the company’s trains and railway stations comes from 100 percent renewable energy sources. With a punctuality rating of around 97 percent in passenger transport, the ÖBB ranks as one of the most punctual rail companies in Europe. With annual investments in rail infrastructure of over three billion Euro, the ÖBB is building the railways of tomorrow. Across the Group, almost 42,000 members of bus and rail staff and around 2,000 apprentices make sure around 1.3 million travellers and 1,300 freight trains reach their destinations safely. The ÖBB is the backbone of the public transport system. As the largest eco-friendly business in Austria, the ÖBB brings people and freight wherever they need to go, safely and sustainably. The company’s strategic management lies with ÖBB-Holding AG.
