Sustainability Credentials in the Rail Industry

Sustainability has always been one of the key strengths of public transport. At the same time, the requirements placed on companies in the rail and mobility sector are steadily increasing, while customers are demanding greater transparency regarding environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. As a result, sustainability credentials are gradually evolving from a voluntary value-added measure into an integral part of tenders, supply chains and procurement processes.

Against this backdrop, Milani Design & Consulting and PROSE prepared the report "Sustainability Credentials for the Swiss Rail Industry" on behalf of Swissrail. The report aims to provide Swissrail members – particularly SMEs – with practical guidance in an increasingly complex environment. It outlines which sustainability credentials are currently most relevant, what requirements the industry is likely to face and how companies can address these challenges pragmatically.

One of the report's key findings is that the number of available sustainability ratings, certifications and assessment tools continues to grow. For many companies, it has therefore become increasingly difficult to determine which systems genuinely add value and which requirements customers and procurement organisations are likely to expect in the future. The report compares the leading providers and highlights the strengths, weaknesses and potential applications of the various certifications and sustainability assessments.

A key conclusion of this comparison is that EcoVadis has currently established itself as the most widely accepted sustainability assessment in the rail industry. Depending on a company's strategy and customer requirements, however, additional tools may also be appropriate. The report therefore provides practical recommendations and a hands-on guide for achieving a strong sustainability assessment.

It also makes clear that sustainability should not primarily be viewed as a regulatory obligation. Rather, it offers companies an opportunity to optimise processes, reduce risks and strengthen their market position. For SMEs in particular, a pragmatic approach is essential: success lies not in implementing the perfect solution from the outset, but in continuously building competencies, data quality and sustainability evidence in a structured way.

As part of the study, Switzerland's three largest rail operators – SBB, BLS and SOB – were also asked about the sustainability requirements they place on their industry partners. All three operators share a common expectation: sustainability should be transparent, measurable and embedded throughout the entire supply chain.

Companies that address this topic at an early stage will not only be well prepared for future tenders but will also strengthen their long-term competitiveness.

The report can be downloaded by Swissrail members via SwissrailNet.

This article is taken from the latest edition of the express. You can read the full magazine here.

Note on the translation: this text was translated using AI and checked by us. If you find any mistakes or something that is not clear, please let us know.