Deutsche Bahn supports the UN Environment Programme

DB cooperates in the UN Environment Programme UNEP • DB and UNEP launch joint project "Train to Copenhagen" to the world climate summit • DB joins the UNEP worldwide "Climate Neutral Network"

News Item Entered: Wednesday, October 21, 2009

(Berlin, 21 October 2009) Environment and climate protection are key concerns at Deutsche Bahn, both from the economic and socio-political viewpoint. Deutsche Bahn has already reduced the specific carbon dioxide emissions of rail by almost 40 per cent since 1990 and is still steadily continuing to lower that figure. In the run-up to the United Nations Climate Change Conference to be held in Copenhagen in early December, DB is now cooperating with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

"DB supports the United Nations' objective of achieving a fair, global climate convention in Copenhagen. Rail transport has a key function for climate protection. Accordingly, the politicians are called upon to create an appropriate political framework for rail transport," stated Dr. Rüdiger Grube, CEO and Chairman of the Management Board of Deutsche Bahn AG. “Reducing emissions from transport will be critical if the world is truly to combat climate change. Railways can be an important part of the solution, their role is crucial for a sustainable transport sector", said Achim Steiner, Undersecretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of UNEP.

DB has now joined the UNEP's "Climate Neutral Network". This worldwide outreach effort includes business enterprises and local authorities which have set themselves ambitious climate protection targets. DB is also supporting the UNEP "Seal the Deal" campaign. The central element is an online petition which can be signed throughout the world, demanding a fair climate agreement. It will then be presented to the heads of government of the countries attending the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.

Moreover, the International Union of Railways (UIC) and DB, in cooperation with UNEP and WWF International, are organizing a "Train to Copenhagen". The train is the visible symbol of climate-friendly mobility and CO2-free rail transport of the future. It runs on electricity obtained solely from renewable energy sources. The train will depart from Brussels on 5 December, calling at Cologne and Hamburg before arriving in Copenhagen in time for the start of the conference.