Our commitment to sustainability.

As the largest provider of sustainable mobility in Switzerland, SBB takes its responsibility seriously.

SBB is committed to a comprehensive sustainability policy – economically, ecologically, and socially. SBB consistently takes sustainability criteria into account along the entire value chain – from procurement to production and use to disposal. SBB’s environmental policy is set out in the Code of Conduct for employees and suppliers.

Whether you travel with TPF or SBB, by bus or by train: public transport lets customers move around sustainably. But climate heating shows that we have to do even more. The sector faces the challenge of maximising use of energy saving potential and reducing dependency on fossil fuels. To achieve this, we need to harness the force of innovation, specialist knowledge and the willingness to implement measures and cooperate.

Vincent Ducrot

CEO

Sustainability at SBB.

As the backbone of public transport, SBB is a driving force in the transformation towards a sustainable Switzerland. We keep people, regions, the economy and nature connected, making a contribution to quality of life in Switzerland and making the country more competitive.

We are kind to the climate and the environment.

We are setting an example by increasing our environmental performance and halving our greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. To this end, we are driving the transformation to a circular economy and promoting sustainable, interconnected habitats for people and nature by planning and building responsibly and strengthening biodiversity.

We are pioneers in sustainable transport development.

We provide our customers with environmentally friendly and accessible mobility, as well as sustainable freight transport. We provide safety – be it data security or regarding the effects of climate change. In doing so, we are pushing the modal shift to rail. We also fulfil our social responsibilities in our supply chain.

We are a responsible employer – by people and for people.

We provide meaningful work for current and future employees. Our tailor-made training and development programmes help staff to prepare for change in their professions and enable us to maintain a high level of valuable rail expertise. We promote an excellent culture of safety and the health of our employees, strengthening our team orientation and sense of togetherness through diversity, inclusion and constructive cooperation with social partners.

Key sustainability topics for SBB.

Our contribution towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

The UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development points the way to a sustainable world. As a country with a long tradition of humanitarianism and a strongly networked international economy, Switzerland has a great interest in being a good example of the implementation of this agenda. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) form the core of the Agenda. They comprise 17 goals and 169 targets. These goals are to be achieved globally and by all UN member states by 2030 – thus ensuring sustainable development at the economic, ecological and social levels.

Switzerland is committed to Agenda 2030. In 2022, SBB once again contributed to the attainment of the SDGs in Switzerland through its actions aimed at fulfilling its commitment to sustainability. First and foremost, through SBB’s ambition to achieve climate-neutrality, and through its energy strategy and its services, SBB is making significant contributions to the decarbonisation of energy (SDG 7) and to climate protection (SDG 13).

As a major mobility provider, employer, real estate owner and buyer, SBB also supported the achievement of the following SDGs to a considerable extent in the year under review: SDG 8 (safe work), SDG 9 (safe rail access and reliable infrastructure), SDG 11 (sustainable buildings and habitats), SDG 12 (procurement and resource use).

In 2022, SBB also contributed to the achievement of select components of the following five SDGs: In the interests of its employees, SBB is committed to integrated health management, a broad range of training and development opportunities, and gender equality (SDGs 3, 4 and 5). It also promotes equal opportunities for its employees and the accessibility of the railway (SDG 10). Finally, SBB is committed to maintaining railway embankments and cuttings in a near-natural state (SDG 15).

When prioritising the SDGs, SBB oriented itself in accordance with the national report for 2022 ‘Switzerland implements the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’. SBB’s priorities also correspond to the Federal Council’s Sustainable Development Strategy. The following paragraphs describe SBB’s contribution to the various SDGs in detail.