ÖBB Annual Report 2023

Group Management Report 110 Österreichische Bundesbahnen-Holding Aktiengesellschaft Consolidated Financial Statements | Group Management Report 65 Highlights 2023 16 new battery-electric trains In 2023, ÖBB ordered 16 electrically powered Cityjet battery-electric trains, which are to be deployed on local and regional services along the Kamptal railway from 2028. The introduction of these new battery-electric trains marks a significant step towards the decarbonisation of regional rail transport. The drive system of these trains allows them to be used on both electrified and non-electrified routes and replace diesel-powered trains. The use of the new battery-electric trains enables savings of over one million litres of diesel per year. More waste transport by rail The amendment to the Waste Management Act and the entry into force of the new transport clause mean that since 01.01.2023, waste transports with a total weight of more than 10 tonnes need to be transported by rail from a distance of 300 km. As of January 2024, waste transports of 200 km or more and as of January 2026 100 km or more are to be transported by rail. In total, there is potential for several million tonnes more waste to be transported by rail. This is the reason the Rail Cargo Group has been developing new logistics concepts in close cooperation with its customers since 2023 and has already been able to shift approx. 200,000 additional tons from road to rail. More renewable electricity from in-house supply ÖBB’s goal is to shift even more traffic from road and air transport to climate-friendly rail transport. Climate benefits of ÖBB rail transport are primarily due to the traction current used, which has been sourced 100% from renewable energies since 2018. Current developments on the energy market show that greater independence and a high level of security of supply are essential in order to be able to handle transport operations continuously. ÖBB’s new energy strategy, presented in June 2023, aims to do just that. By 2030, ÖBB wants to increase the level of self-sufficiency in traction current from 60% to 80% and in operating facilities from 11% to 67% by expanding and modernising its own hydroelectric, solar and wind power plants together with partners. In total, this means an increase of approx. 800 GWh of in-house supply – in addition to the present 970 GWh. As a result, ÖBB benefits from greater independence from external energy suppliers and also reduces the demand on the public power grid. In addition, internal energy efficiency is to be increased by 25%, for example by modernising the traction current network or optimising buildings. ÖBB is investing approx. EUR 1.6 billion to achieve the aims of the energy strategy and make the Group more independent. More than 81,000 applications to ÖBB In 2023, a significant increase was achieved compared to the previous year with over 81,000 applicants (py: 57,000 applications) – and the trend is rising. This high figure demonstrates ÖBB’s attractiveness as an employer. The recruiting focus was expanded to include targeted activities abroad. A variety of measures enabled new record numbers of applicants to be set there as well. The diversity of our employees is an indispensable part of ÖBB’s success and corporate culture. In future, the new “ÖBB Jobanbahner:innen” (job initiator) programme is to also provide increased support in filling vacancies. The new Group-wide referral programme was launched in 2023 under the motto “Employees recruit employees”. The aim is to enable open positions to be filled more quickly if colleagues motivate suitable people from their social environment to apply. This is another important step towards the future, as applications already show that a third of all long-term hires are attributable to a recommendation. The new world of sustainability reporting As with many other companies in Europe, the ÖBB Group’s sustainability reporting is also facing a significant change. The EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) defines the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) as the first uniform and mandatory sustainability reporting standards for all companies concerned. This means that legally binding sustainability reporting will be in place from the 2025 reporting year – including for the ÖBB Group. The new directive significantly extends the reporting obligation for large companies and aims to increase the transparency, comparability and digitalisation of sustainability reporting. | MR65