Russian Railways: Empowering Action
Sustainable Development Report 2023
20th anniversary of Russian Railways
It has been two decades that Russian Railways has been continuously undertaking large-scale efforts to consolidate, preserve, and develop the railway industry.
Today, Russian Railways stands as Russia’s backbone transportation company, evolving as a modern, competitive, and high-tech business.
Russian Railways Group’s positions globally
No. 1
- Precise schedule for passenger trains
- Traffic density
- Freight turnoverThe railway network in Russia operates around 1.3 m freight cars. Russian Railways Group accounts for more than a fifth of global railway freight turnover
No. 2
- Operational length of railways The operational length of railways stands at around 86,000 km, more than twice the length of the equator
Outcomes of the Year of Health at Russian Railways
Nationwide Health Train:
Together Against Diabetes awareness campaign
Medical outreach campaign
Health Days at the Company’s facilities
Sporting events
Blood donor movement
Russian Railways continues to offer training to employees as part of its Sustainable Development Management educational initiative
The Sustainable Development Management course explores the principles of sustainable development that are gaining traction among companies worldwide. These principles foster the growth of responsible, socially-oriented, and environmentally-friendly businesses.
rzd.ruNatalia Kartasheva
Head of the Environmental and Technosphere Safety Department
Aware that sustainable development can be a complex and unfamiliar topic to many, we aimed to create an engaging and accessible training course, opting for a long- read format. Instead of following the traditional e-learning approach with sequential slides and numerous tests, the course is designed more like a media experience. We also plan to enhance the course by incorporating case studies that feature creative solutions to practical challenges and engage students in real-life scenarios, making the training even more practical.
Russian Railways became the first company in Russia to safely dispose of electrical equipment containing oils with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). In 2023, the first batch of such waste was neutralised using an environmentally safe method. The project was implemented by the Company together with the Federal Environmental Operator.
Project stages
According to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, Russia is supposed to have fully decommissioned the equipment containing PCBs by 2025, and to have neutralised PCB-containing production waste associated with extra high health or environmental hazard by 2028.
rzd.ruMaxim Polishchuk
Deputy Head of Environment and Technosphere Safety Department at Russian Railways
A responsible user of natural resources, Russian Railways takes measures to dispose of PCB-containing equipment, meeting commitments assumed by Russia as part of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. We bore witness of the waste being neutralised in an environmentally safe manner based on the principles of best available techniques. Russian Railways will keep doing that, and, in line with the roadmap, we plan to have fully disposed of such equipment by the year 2028.
A major milestone of the Company’s Year of Health in 2023 was a nationwide awareness campaign titled Health Train: Together Against Diabetes
A specialised train, equipped with modern medical devices and staffed by highly qualified healthcare professionals of the RZD-Medicine network, travelled along the Vladivostok–Moscow route, making stops in 37 cities and towns. En route, healthcare professionals offered screenings and diagnostic tests to detect diabetes or its potential onset.
rzd.ruElena Zhidkova
Head of the Central Healthcare Directorate
Upon assessment completion, all individuals received detailed health reports, tailored advice on reducing risk factors, and a wellness improvement plan. Referrals to specialty doctors were provided when necessary. Beyond mere medical outreach, the Health Train represents a tangible commitment to enhancing national health.
In 2023, Russian Railways continued to implement a roadmap for developing the hi-tech Quantum Communications sector through 2030
The roadmap sets out three key objectives to help Russia achieve a leading position in quantum communications:
- Creating an infrastructure for quantum communications networks
- Developing quantum communications technology
- Building a relevant ecosystem
Continuous efforts are being made to develop the ecosystem, which includes refining regulatory frameworks, standardisation, building human capital, and promoting awareness.