_{^{(Essen, December 29, 2017)}}  Under the new DB Group target to reduce greenhouse gases by the year 2030, DB Schenker has undertaken to reduce its specific emissions of greenhouse gases by a minimum of 40 percent compared to 2006. The DB logistics subsidiary is part of the new Deutsche Bahn climate target, which envisages halving its specific carbon emissions by 2030.

DB Schenker accounts for almost two thirds of the total emissions of the DB Group, so that the logistics company plays a key role in achieving the target. At the beginning of 2017, Schenker already undertook to achieve carbon-neutral growth by 2030. Accordingly, the specific annual targets were increased by up to three percent per annum for land and air traffic as from the year 2020. Further reductions are also planned for ocean transports, despite the fact that DB Schenker already achieved a reduction of 62 percent per TEU-km between 2006 and 2017.

Around 95 percent of carbon emissions at DB Schenker are generated by service providers, which involve roughly 40,000 companies worldwide. In order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in this sector, the DB logistics subsidiary is supporting its partner companies by launching numerous campaigns, networks and – through its national companies – in the form of research on new technologies, pilot project schemes and assistance in obtaining funding.

In Paris, DB Schenker France is introducing a change to e-mobility for distribution/collection for system freight cargo. “On launching this program in Paris, we one of the first companies to set the course for carbon-free city logistics,” says Tariel Chamerois, Sustainability Manager at Schenker France and Vice-President of CLECAT, the European Association for Forwarding, Transport, Logistics and Customer Services.

Comprehensive campaigns have also been launched in Sweden to promote the transition to green power in the transport business. Even today, Schenker Sweden already uses sustainable biofuels in around 800 vehicles, replacing roughly a third of its diesel consumption with renewable energy.

“The greatest challenge will be to discontinue the use of fossil fuels. In the land transport segment, the goal is already in sight: We have rail operations with a growing share of green power even on intercontinental routes, which could help promote the modal shift from air and ocean transport. There is pressure to promote innovation and funding programs are available. Air and ocean transports, however, need a new technology that is still in its infancy, although that segment threatens to explode worldwide by 2050,” comments Andrea Dorothea Schoen, Carbon Controller and Head of DB Schenker’s climate protection program. “In that respect, it is vital for all actors along the supply chain to cooperate with the policy makers.”