ÖBB Rail Cargo Group Earns EcoVadis Gold Standard for Third Consecutive Year in CSR Excellence

ÖBB Rail Cargo Group Earns EcoVadis Gold Standard for Third Consecutive Year in CSR Excellence

(IN BRIEF) The ÖBB Rail Cargo Group (RCG) has been awarded the EcoVadis Gold Standard for corporate social responsibility (CSR) for the third consecutive year. This recognition places RCG in the top 1% of companies in the rail freight transport sector evaluated by EcoVadis. RCG excelled in environmental and labor aspects, surpassing legal requirements, and achieved an “Advanced” rating for climate change management. This recognition underscores RCG’s commitment to sustainability, accessibility, and attracting new customer segments while aligning with evolving customer preferences for socially and environmentally responsible business practices.

(PRESS RELEASE) VIENNA, 14-Dec-2023— /EuropaWire/ —The international rating platform EcoVadis has assessed the ÖBB Rail Cargo Group (RCG) with regard to its corporate social responsibility (CSR) and awarded it “Gold” status for the third time in a row. This puts the RCG in the top 1% of companies in the rail freight transport sector assessed by EcoVadis. EcoVadis now evaluates more than 100,000 companies in the areas of the environment, labour and human rights and sustainable procurement.

The award of the EcoVadis Gold Standard is both recognition and an incentive, according to RCG CEO Clemens Först: “The Rail Cargo Group is the sustainable logistics backbone of the European economy. That is why we are investing in the future viability of rail freight transport. In addition to greater efficiency and flexibility, the aim is above all to simplify access to the rail system and thus attract new customer groups.”

RCG top in environmental and social issues

RCG scored particularly well in the areas of the environment and labour and human rights. Its performance here goes beyond the legal obligations. Participation in the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), ISO 14001 certification, the conversion to quiet brake blocks and the numerous training programmes were also rated highly. The extensive range of health measures for employees and offers to improve the work-life balance were also honoured.

Carbon scorecard as an additional assessment element

The carbon scorecard is a new addition to the assessment. This serves to evaluate the management systems in the area of climate change. Here too, the RCG team is delighted to have achieved the second-best “Advanced” rating. The reasons for the good result are the scope of the greenhouse gas management systems, the reporting in accordance with global standards and the data verification by third parties.

Environmental and social responsibility are becoming increasingly important for customers

The motivating result is not only good news for RCG and the environment, but also for customers, who are placing increasing importance on socially and environmentally responsible behaviour. Sustainability reports, certificates and emissions calculations are also becoming increasingly important at regulatory level or in procurement processes. The company’s efforts in the area of environment & CSR are also aimed at generating direct benefits for customers, whether through the fulfilment of contractual obligations or the provision of customer-specific emissions balances.

Rail Cargo Group: the freight transport division of the ÖBB
As a leading rail logistics provider in Europe, we are shaping the industry. 365 days a year – 24 hours a day. Across Europe and beyond into Asia. With our presence in 18 countries worldwide, we connect people, businesses and markets – from the first to the last mile. It’s thanks to our 5,887 logistics professionals from 34 nations that 448,000 trains a year, respectively 1,230 a day, reach their destinations safe and sound. With our efficient end-to-end logistics services, we transport over 88 million net tonnes of freight each year. A modal share of 27.5 % (preliminary value) of the total freight market in Austria makes us top of the league in Europe. Operational management of the Rail Cargo Group lies with Rail Cargo Austria AG.

ÖBB
ÖBB has been shaping mobility in Austria for 100 years. As a comprehensive mobility and logistics service provider, ÖBB transported a total of 447 million passengers and over 88 million tonnes of freight to its destinations in a climate and environmentally friendly manner in 2022. This is thanks to the electricity for trains and stations being generated entirely from renewable energy sources. With a punctuality rate of around 95,5 per cent in passenger transport, ÖBB is one of the most punctual railway operators in Europe. ÖBB invests more than three billion euros per year in railway infrastructure in its drive to build a railway system fit for the future. Across the Group, around 42,600 bus and rail employees and an additional  2,000 apprentices ensure that more than 1.2 million passengers and around 1,230 freight trains arrive safely at their destinations every day. ÖBB is the backbone of the Austrian public transport system and, as Austria’s largest climate protection company, gets people and freight to their destinations safely and in an environmentally friendly manner. The strategic lead company of the group is the ÖBB-Holding AG.

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