ÖBB Annual Report 2023

117 Group Management Report Österreichische Bundesbahnen-Holding Aktiengesellschaft Consolidated Financial Statements | Group Management Report 72 Highlights 2023 The annual investment program will be expanded by 5% per year, building on the “National Energy and Climate Plan”. This was also confirmed in the 2023 to 2028 framework plan with a total volume of approx. EUR 19.0 billion for the next six years. The framework plan is valid for six years and is extended annually by one year on a rolling basis and adopted by the federal government. ÖBB is investing approx. EUR 6.1 billion in its new passenger transport fleet by 2030. Approx. EUR 3.7 billion of this is earmarked for local trains and approx. EUR 1.6 billion for long-distance trains. In addition, approx. EUR 0.8 billion will be invested in vehicle conversions. This means approx. 330 new local and long-distance trains and more than 100,000 modern seats for customers over the next few years. There were also new developments in the Rail Cargo Group from 2022. TransNET is a comprehensive Rail Cargo Group network on which the Rail Cargo Group travels with full wagonloads, single wagons, containers, block trains or on the Rolling Road (see chapter G.9). Outlook for 2024 The aim is to transport even more people and goods by rail. This requires more capacity through new and better utilised routes. The approved investments of approx. EUR 21.1 billion for the ÖBB framework plan in the period from 2024 to 2029 ensure that the Federal Ministry for Climate Action will continue to invest in green mobility in the long term. The expansion of the railway is continuing consistently and is thus making a substantial contribution to the transport and climate transition. The 2024 passenger transport timetable will see an increase in the number of kilometres offered and the consequent expansion of local and long-distance services compared to the previous year. In addition, the ÖBB 360° mobility packages are being used to expand attractive mobility services for the first and last mile (see chapter G.9). The competitiveness of rail transport compared to road transport is constantly declining due to a lack of cost transparency, nevertheless, there have been successes in some areas and thus more traffic on the railway. Reasons for this include an amendment to the Waste Management Act and a revised subsidy system for connection lines to companies. The framework plan has earmarked funds for the construction and adaptation of freight loading points, among other measures, in order to further optimise the infrastructural conditions required for this purpose. This makes the transfer of transports between road and rail even more attractive. In general, the medium-term trend is that the rail freight market in Europe is undergoing rapid transformation – new sectors, new customers and a focus on digitalisation, innovation and sustainability. In this context, the Rail Cargo Group is continuing to push ahead with digitalisation and innovation in rail freight transport. Automation of processes, making them simpler and faster and replacing analogue, time-consuming and expensive processes with digital solutions are the Rail Cargo Group’s declared objectives. That reduces costs, increases transparency and creates efficiency. In addition, door-to-door solutions are to be used in the coming years to address medium-sized customers in particular – with consignment sizes ranging from one container to a group of wagons. The client does not necessarily need its own rail connection. Greenhouse gas emissions of ÖBB 2023 (GHG balance) The ÖBB GHG balance is calculated and audited annually by the Federal Environment Agency. Scope 3 emissions are also listed in addition to Scope 1 and Scope 2. The data currently available for a detailed quantity-based calculation of Scope 3 emissions is not yet sufficient, particularly in the areas of procurement of capital and consumer goods and services. An estimate (with bandwidth) is therefore presented in an extrapolated form. It is based on a calculation (spend-based method) by external experts from 2018 (data basis 2017). The detailed preparation and calculation of these Scope 3 subcategories is undertaken step by step. A detailed calculation has already been completed for the Scope 3 categories of fuel and energy-related emissions, waste, business travel (air travel), employee commuting and leased and rented property, plant and equipment. GHG emissions of the international (fully consolidated) ÖBB companies are also included. The strategic focus of ÖBB’s climate change mitigation strategy is nevertheless primarily on reducing the national CO 2 footprint in Austria. A detailed analysis of the national emission values is provided for this purpose. This GHG balance was calculated on the basis of the emission factors currently available from the German Federal Environment Agency. In the calculation of the 2023 GHG balance for ÖBB national (AT), transmission losses were also taken into account in the generation of traction current. MR72 |