ÖBB Annual Report 2023

177 Group Management Report Österreichische Bundesbahnen-Holding Aktiengesellschaft Consolidated Financial Statements | Group Management Report 132 There for one another 365 days a year ÖBB has been a partner and supporter of Licht ins Dunkel since 2009. A major highlight in 2023 was the auction of an apprentice project by Österreichische Postbus Aktiengesellschaft in favour of the association. Specifically, it was a VW Beetle, built in 1965, which was professionally dismantled and restored by Postbus apprentices from the northern region. The vintage car generated proceeds of approx. TEUR 42.0 for a good cause at an auction held between 18.11 and 16.12. 2023 for the benefit of Licht ins Dunkel. This and other internal and external fundraising measures has resulted in a total amount of approx. TEUR 70.8 being donated to Licht ins Dunkel. The cooperation with Licht ins Dunkel represents the ÖBB Group’s largest cross-company social commitment, totalling approx. EUR 1.4 million over a period of 15 years. “We before I” – one of the core values at the ÖBB. This is the reason why ÖBB employees once again helped where help was needed in 2023. Following the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, a search and rescue team with members of the ÖBB company fire brigade from Vorarlberg also travelled to the disaster area. The Rail Cargo Group also supported the transport of 300 tonnes of relief supplies, including generators, mobile toilets, food, clothing, hygiene articles, heaters, sleeping bags and tents. The trips went to Edirne in the west of Turkey. In March 2023, another Rail Cargo Group special train brought 30 STRABAG office containers and three sanitary containers with other relief supplies to the Adiyaman region. This cross-company collaboration resulted in the construction of a container village for approx. 30 families. Inform sustainably, act greener Sustainability and climate change mitigation are deeply rooted in ÖBB’s DNA and are continuously strengthened through various internal activities. In view of the ongoing energy crisis, the second part of the internal awareness campaign with useful energy-saving tips was implemented at the beginning of the year. The “ÖBB Energy Talk” with energy expert Karina Knaus from the Austrian Energy Agency (AEA) enabled interested employees to obtain more detailed information on the topic. The first internal ÖBB environmental fair was held in the summer to promote the green idea within the company. Besides the information stands on ÖBB’s numerous sustainability and environmental protection projects and a lecture by future alchemist Stefan Stockinger, visitors can also expect stations that invite them to join in, experience and try things out. In autumn 2023, ÖBB hosted an internal awareness week for the second time under the name “Green Awareness Week”. Employees were able to deepen their knowledge of the circular economy at various online and on-site events and also take a look at the bigger picture. The project was supported by the expertise of colleagues and external partners such as Zero Waste Austria and Too Good To Go. The two highlights of the week were the second ÖBB cinema evening and the first ÖBB clothes exchange. The road movie “Wastecooking – Cooking what others waste” was shown at the ÖBB cinema evening. The ÖBB Clothes Swap gave colleagues the opportunity to exchange discarded items of clothing. In 2023, colleagues from the Rail Cargo Group once again joined forces with the Greenheroes for “World Clean Up Day” on 16 September. Out and about on two wheels for health and the climate Public transport and the bicycle are the climate change mitigation dream team par excellence. Various bicycle-related activities were organised in 2023 to further promote integrated mobility – especially among our own employees. Employees had the opportunity to have their bikes checked and prepared at two locations in Vienna in the spring, ensuring they are safeon the road for the upcoming season.ÖBB has also supported the “Austria cycles” campaign since 2021. This promotes climate-friendly mobility for employees and also has a beneficial effect on their health. The ÖBB bee and flower cycling event once again took place as part of the cooperation partnership. In 2023, a new record of 685,366 km was set and the 15th ÖBB Blühwiese (flowering meadow) was established for more biodiversity. The so-named “Fold & Ride” tours in and around four Austrian capitals also showed how easy it is to combine cycling and travelling by train with a folding bike. MR132 |