Sustainability initiatives and projects
Recent events and the climate crisis have confirmed that there is a close connection between the economic system, the environment and society as a whole. This has raised awareness that long-term economic growth is not sustainable if it is not accompanied by the protection and enhancement of the environment, natural resources, people and local communities. The FNM Group, fully aware of these ongoing changes, has long been committed to a path of sustainability aimed at increasingly improving its impact on the environment and society. The Group is convinced that its services are not only important in economic terms, but are also significant from an environmental and social standpoint: through the transport services provided, for example, it is not only possible to offer a valid alternative to travelling by private car with consequent impacts from an environmental point of view, but people and local communities can also be offered a service thanks to the availability of the transport service, guaranteed even during the most critical moments of the pandemic. The sustainability initiatives and projects implemented by the FNM Group cover the following areas:
1) Energy saving and energy efficiency projects
2) Fleet and infrastructure modernisation
3) External and internal development and promotion of sustainability principles by FNM
4) Promotion of the local area and tourism
5) Offers of integrated, intermodal and sustainable mobility services
6) Landscape and environmental context and biodiversity
1 – ENERGY SAVING AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROJECTS
The expansion of the rail network operated by FERROVIENORD, the increase in rail services and the increase in the specific power of the new fleet entail a significant increase in energy consumption. However, the company is committed to improving its energy efficiency through:
environmentally friendly development of rail traffic;
competitive traction energy cost for Railway Companies accessing the network;
reduction in the energy consumption of plants and their maintenance costs;
use of the energy market through tenders that enhance the railways’ daily absorption profile and streamline supply points;
use of renewable sources;
To achieve the set energy efficiency targets, the Group has already implemented several initiatives, including:
ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN STATIONS AND OFFICES
LED lighting in FERROVIENORD stations In line with the target of equipping all FERROVIENORD stations with LED technology, the lighting systems at stations are being renewed with the gradual replacement of less efficient bulbs. These measures will bring numerous benefits, including improved energy efficiency in the lighting of buildings and station areas, and reduced consumption and CO2 emissions.
QUALITY OF SERVICE AND CUSTOMER SAFETY AT THE STATION AND IN TRANSIT (SECURITY AND SAFETY)
The issue of service quality and customer safety in stations and in transit (Security and Safety), together with health and safety in the workplace, is now more important than ever. These issues represent a cornerstone: on the one hand, being able to guarantee customers a high-quality service at stations, parking areas and bus stops and, on the other hand, encouraging and promoting an internal safety culture so that employees and external associates can access workplaces in complete safety. It is crucial to ensure that services and infrastructure are accessible The ability to offer all customers, without any discrimination, access to its vehicles and to guarantee the safety of passengers and employees against any possible threat, whether on the train, bus, station, street or at the bicycle and car parking areas, is an essential prerequisite for FNM. All stations are constantly monitored by a fixed and mobile surveillance system (Security), coordinated by a central hub which is manned 24 hours a day. Any criminal events are logged in a special database. In support of this activity in the Milan branch, 19 guards are present in the stations. In addition, 9 stations are involved in anti-writers initiatives. In this last period characterised by the Covid pandemic, on the one hand it was important to rethink the traditional concept of mobility and on the other hand it was essential to communicate in a timely manner to all users the new regulatory provisions to tackle the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. FNM has therefore launched an intensive communication campaign for signage related to COVID-19 standards during the so-called ‘Phase 2′ and ‘Phase 3′ for FERROVIENORD, FNM Autoservizi and E-Vai. The communication focused on the measures adopted in the network’s stations by FERROVIENORD to allow access to the service under safe conditions. The FNM Group has an agreement with the Milan Polytechnic Foundation to develop joint training and research initiatives in areas such as: innovative systems for station surveillance and security, electric systems and energy efficiency, maintenance and advanced diagnostic activities, railway engineering, urban planning in relation to infrastructure and transport systems, and rolling stock.
KEY SAFETY MANAGEMENT MEASURES INCLUDE:
Adoption of Railway Safety Management (SMS), Train Control (SCMT) and Driver Support (SSC) systems by the FERROVIENORD rail network.
Installation of video surveillance systems, geo-localisation of the road fleet, continuous monitoring of the car sharing service, stipulation of agreements and conventions with the Railway Police (POLFER) and signing of contracts with security firms.
Monitoring of network anomalies and action planning: gradual elimination of level crossings and development of safety tools.
Some Group companies have adopted the UNI ISO 39001:2016 standard of the road traffic safety management system for the Road Passenger Transport business segment.
rail transport and containment of consumption
Rail transport is one of the most energy efficient modes of transport. Although it accounts for 9% of global motorised passenger movements and 7% of global freight movements, it is responsible for just 3% of the transport sector’s energy consumption. Trenord manages activities that may have an impact on the environment via its Integrated Management System, which is certified according to ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 standards. The company is committed to reducing its direct impact and strives to hone processes to make them more effective and efficient. Thanks to close links with train constructors, infrastructure management companies and railway companies, effective tools have been adopted to reduce facility and train consumption. High-voltage electricity consumption associated with train transport is predominantly linked with powering rolling stock. E-Vai’s services have zero CO2 emissions since 100% of energy used to recharge the cars comes from certified, renewable sources.
CLIMATE-CHANGING EMISSIONS INTO THE ATMOSPHERE
The FNM Group, starting from analysis of each company’s energy consumption, reports direct and indirect climate-changing emissions through a methodology for the standardisation of emission contributions and a procedure shared between the FNM Group’s various companies. Moreover, the FNM Group, in an attempt to report on emissions that are not under the company’s direct control, but indirectly due to its activity, maps the CO2 equivalent emissions resulting from business travel by its employees. E-Vai’s services have zero CO2 emissions since 100% of energy used to recharge the cars comes from certified, renewable sources.
SUPPLY CHAIN
Downstream of its own activities, the FNM Group carefully selects its suppliers based on general requirements, possession of quality certifications and compliance with labour costs. In particular, drafting of the Guidelines for Sustainable Purchasing has been completed. This document sets out the procedures that promote the adoption of environmental and social sustainability criteria in the purchasing processes (Green Procurement) of FNM Group companies.
MONITORING CONSUMPTION ON BOARD TRAINS
Trenord carries out campaigns to monitor consumption on board trains already equipped with energy meters, aiming, among other things, to produce an information document for train drivers focused on measures to adopt in order to ensure more environmentally friendly driving techniques. The arrival of the first new trains (ROCK/Caravaggio and POP/Donizetti), which are already equipped with energy meters, will make it possible to expand the test runs and consumption monitoring. This will be followed by the preparation of a specific training programme aimed at making train drivers aware of energy consumption and consequently sensitising them to driving styles designed to reduce it, while respecting the regularity of the service.
2 – FLEET AND INFRASTRUCTURE MODERNISATION
In 2017, the FNM Group launched its train fleet renewal programme for regional rail services. The plan provides for: 176 trains purchased thanks to the allocation of 1.6 billion from the Lombardy Region, added to the 45 new trains that entered service between 2015 and 2018, plus the 14 new hydrogen trains, making a total of 235. . Total investment in the fleet renewal programme for regional rail services amounts to well over EUR 2 billion. The operation is one of the biggest investments ever made by the Lombardy Region in the transport sector and will ensure the complete renewal of the rolling stock currently in circulation. The new rolling stock has a number of environmental benefits: LED lighting, Wi-Fi, bike stations and electric e-bike sockets, mobile platforms to ensure accessibility for people with reduced mobility (PRM), a traffic safety system (ERTMS/ETCS), a 30% reduction in electricity consumption, noise reduction, recovery of electrical energy in braking, and highly reusable and biodegradable materials.
FNM and Trenord promote the first Italian Hydrogen Valley in Sebino and Valcamonica. The main points of the project, called H2iseO, are: the purchase of new hydrogen-powered trains, which will serve the non-electrified Brescia-Iseo-Edolo line – managed by FERROVIENORD – from 2023, to replace the current diesel engines, and the construction of hydrogen production plants, initially intended for new clean-energy trains. This is the first Italian project for a fleet of zero-emission trains that will replace diesel-electric trains for the non-electrified Brescia-Iseo-Edolo line. The first hydrogen production, storage and distribution plant will be built by FNM in Iseo between 2021 and 2023. The agreements signed by FNM for the study and identification of the best way to produce and supply green hydrogen deriving from renewable sources and the recovery of materials are fundamental. The hydrogen solution is expected to be extended by 2025 to local public transport, starting from around 40 vehicles managed in Valcamonica by FNM Autoservizi, with the possibility of opening up to use by goods and/or private logistics.
With regard to infrastructure, the main measures concern:
the gradual reduction of architectural barriers in FERROVIENORD stations;
the upgrading of the railway network to the highest safety and energy efficiency standards;
installation of systems for surveillance and ensuring passengers’ personal safety;
gradual reduction in the number of level crossings on the railway network operated by FERROVIENORD.
3 – EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION OF SUSTAINABILITY PRINCIPLES BY FNM (STAFF TRAINING ON CSR-SUSTAINABILITY)
The FNM Group has a nearly 150-year history linked to the local area and the Lombardy community. An exemplary story that has evolved over the years and aims to develop a smart region and sustainable development model that guarantees public accessibility to the transportation of people and goods by various means in the cities and territory of Lombardy and Northern Italy.
With a view to developing and promoting the principles of sustainability, including externally, the FNM Group participates in local and international networks and associations.
PARTICIPATION IN ASSTRA’S SUSTAINABILITY WORKING GROUP
The FNM Group is part of the ASSTRA Transport Association, which brings together 142 Local Public Transport companies in Italy and works to promote environmental, social and economic values as a core part of the country’s development. FNM coordinates the national sustainability work group, whose aim is to develop guidelines and provide training courses designed to engage LPT companies in CSR and sustainability issues. In collaboration with FNM, ASSTRA developed the document “Social and environmental responsibility for public transport companies – guidelines and instructions for writing a Sustainability Report”. Specific indicators for the transport sector were identified for the first time. . . . LINK: Guidelines
PARTNERSHIP WITH FOUNDATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
FNM has supported the Fondazione per lo Sviluppo Sostenibile (Foundation for Sustainable Development) since 2017 and is a member of the foundation’s scientific committee. Among other things, FNM is a signatory of the ‘Exiting the pandemic with a new Green Deal for Italy’ manifesto.
MINISTRY FOR ECOLOGICAL TRANSITION AND FORUM FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
As part of the implementation and review of the National Strategy for Sustainable Development (SNSvS), FNM participates in the Sustainable Development Forum and activities of MiTE’s Prosperità (Prosperity) work group. The group focuses on the promotion of research and innovation in the field of sustainability, as well as striving for full employment, quality training and sustainable production and consumption models as part of a push to decarbonise the economy. . Its aim is to provide operational guidelines and proposals designed to support international negotiations with specific reference to measures relating to ‘New times in the city and sustainable urban mobility’ and to plan the annual National Sustainable Development Conference.
PARTICIPATION IN UITP’S SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION
In order to strengthen the Group’s commitment to achieving the SDGs, FNM has chaired the UITP Sustainable Development Committee since 2021. In 2019 FNM organised the 27th Committee (UITP Sustainable Development) at its headquarters in Piazza Cadorna, Milan. This was officially recognised by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It participated in the subsequent editions in Rotterdam and Cape Town (2019) and the 2020 edition in Paris, which was held online due to the pandemic.
FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT FOR COLLABORATION BETWEEN FNM AND THE UNIVERSITY OF MILAN BICOCCA
In 2020, the Framework Agreement for collaboration between FNM and the University of Milan Bicocca was signed to promote activities aimed at supporting research, carrying out informative educational activities, increasing scientific knowledge, creating new professional skills and expertise, developing partnerships with companies in the areas of Corporate Social Responsibility, reporting, social innovation and sustainable development. The Parties, each making their expertise and relationships available, collaborate on projects, research, measurement activities, training, publications, conferences, conventions, study days and in-depth studies, aimed at raising awareness and disseminating best practices.
In 2020, the FNM Group confirms its leading role in sustainable development policies. FNM’s Sustainability Report, included in the Future Respect 2020 Index among the 44 leading companies in accessible sustainability that have best illustrated their sustainability performance, also received the ‘High Performer’ award from Consumers. The initiative is part of the ‘Vota il Bilancio di Sostenibilità’ project created by ConsumerLab. This recognition consolidates the role of the FNM Group as a ‘sustainable’ leader in the transport and mobility sector.
CONSUMERLAB RECOGNISES FNM AS A ‘HIGH PERFORMER’ IN TERMS OF SUSTAINABILITY
In 2020, the FNM Group confirms its leading role in sustainable development policies. FNM’s Sustainability Report, included in the Future Respect 2020 Index among the 44 leading companies in accessible sustainability that have best illustrated their sustainability performance, also received the ‘High Performer’ award from Consumers. The initiative is part of the ‘Vota il Bilancio di Sostenibilità’ project created by ConsumerLab. This recognition consolidates the role of the FNM Group as a ‘sustainable’ leader in the transport and mobility sector.
JOINING THE LOMBARDY PROTOCOL FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF THE LOMBARDY REGION
In 2020, FNM signed the Lombardy Protocol for Sustainable Development, making specific commitments in the field of CSR and sustainability.
CSR-SUSTAINABILITY TRAINING FOR STAFF
Following the training course on ‘Tools and strategies for the development of environmental and social responsibility in the company’ delivered in 2019 to all the Parent Company’s middle managers, together with the creation of a handbook on good practices and sustainable behaviour in the company, the training on CSR and sustainability was replicated for Group companies. In 2020, the course was delivered at NordCom S.p.A, at the end of which participants were given a questionnaire on the Mentimeter platform on the topic of sustainability and climate change.
4 – PROMOTION OF THE LOCAL AREA AND TOURISM
Monitoring of local development and stakeholder dialogue are important for FNM given its proximity and distribution throughout the country.
The Group promotes the dissemination and development of sustainable tourism and the history of the area, carrying out specific initiatives with local administrations to enhance the local area.
Alongside the Italian Railway Network and ANCI Lombardy, FERROVIENORD participates in the “Stazioni in Comune” (Municipal Stations) project, which aims to restore and renovate over 400 railway stations in Lombardy, improving passenger services and strengthening relationships with towns and cities. In line with this commitment, FERROVIENORD is continuing contractual negotiations with municipal administrations to improve station accessibility, including in terms of expanding parking spaces, and is also working to enter into an agreement for a new car park at Milan’s Affori station.
5 – OFFERS OF INTEGRATED, INTERMODAL AND SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY SERVICES AND SUSTAINABLE AND TOURISM
The FNM Group pursues a vision of integrated and sustainable transport with the aim of encouraging the use of alternative transport to private cars. In this regard, FERROVIENORD has committed to increasing the number of bicycle parking areas near railway stations in the short term, while E-Vai has gradually expanded its electric car sharing offer by developing different mobility models for private individuals and companies
CAR E-SERVICE
During 2020, E-Vai continued to carry out the activities of ordinary management, monitoring and economic reporting of the CarE-Service project (EU Programme Horizon 2020), focusing its efforts on the promotion of the business model (Easy-station plus) designed and developed within the project, in the main digital channels (website, social networks and newsletters).
CAR SHARING SOLIDARITY
E-Vai experienced a sharp drop in rentals during the full lockdown period from March to May caused by the nationwide shutdown of non-essential activities. The event resulted in the non-use of almost the entire fleet of cars dedicated to the Regional service, with a few rare exceptions. Following consideration of possible users of the Service during the lockdown period and, at the same time, in order to avoid battery consumption due to non-use, E-Vai devised a way to meet the needs of doctors and nurses with a pressing need to move around the health facilities and organisations engaged in the fight against the pandemic. The company has therefore decided to offer local authorities some cars on loan for free use for the following purposes:
mobility service of the Municipality for controls and activities in the local area;
distribution of meals and home delivery of medicines;
– social services for assistance;
mask distribution and service.
The offer of this service has been welcomed by local authorities, Red Cross, Civil Protection and voluntary associations, proving to be a winning choice in all respects.
FNM’S COORDINATION OF THE EUROPEAN I-SHARE LIFE PROJECT
The European I-SharE LIFE sustainable transport project – ‘I-SharE LIFE- Innovative sharing solutions for full electric travels in small and medium size urban areas’ – for which FNM received European Community funding of EUR 3.4 million, aims to innovate E-Vai’s traditional electric car sharing model by bringing it to new municipalities and integrating it with transport services already present at railway hubs In 2020, E-Vai launched the new back-end service management platform and the new front-end App, as envisaged by the project actions within the ‘Technology Implementation’ category. In addition, E-Vai closely focused on the commercial replicability of services, tested within the four demo-sites throughout the Lombardy Region.
6 – LANDSCAPE AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXT AND BIODIVERSITY
FERROVIENORD, in collaboration with NORD_ING, always assesses risks associated with the impact on the landscape of affected areas, as well as the impact level of any future work, and carries out follow-up work The main ones in progress include:
The rail link between Malpensa’s Terminal 1 and 2 falls within the Ticino Natural Park, which is recognised by UNESCO. At the same time, over the next year, the company intends to develop environmental compensation and biodiversity projects for the T2 Malpensa-RFI Sempione rail link project.
Follow-up monitoring of the fauna and flora in the wooded areas affected by the work to extend the MXP T2-RFI Sempione rail link.
Castano – Turbigo environmental and landscape projects that included the creation of ecological corridors on which woodland maintenance was carried out in 2020. From 2016 to 2019, the underpasses increased their ecological value and contributed to the improvement of the landscape and environmental context where they were placed and in which they became an important functional element. This activity was highlighted in the UITP-UNEP video on World Environment Day on 5 June 2021. (LINK: view the video)
