Design for Environment (DfE)
Over the past 15 years, we have consistently improved our products through Design for Environment (DfE).
The goal of DfE is to develop vehicles that contribute to sustainable mobility. This entails factoring in the environmental impacts of each product, throughout its life cycle, at the development phase.
DfE helps us produce environmentally compatible vehicles and anticipate any future, more stringent legislation in this area. Our DfE initiatives include:
- Reducing energy consumption
- Standard on prohibited and restricted substances
- Reducing emissions
- Sharing responsibilities with suppliers and partners
- Increasing the recyclability of our products
Reducing Energy Consumption
We are continuing to reduce energy consumption wherever possible. This is achieved by striving for low weight, decreased aerodynamic drag, recuperation of brake energy, combination of electric and diesel technology (dual-mode) and reduced amounts of losses for all components. Initiatives include:
- Developing the BOMBARDIER MITRAC Energy Saver Solution to enable more efficient use of braking energy on our light-rail vehicles.
- Developing the world’s first hybrid train. As of 2007, the Hybrid AGC, which combines dual-mode (electric and diesel) and dual-voltage (1500 and 25000 V) capabilities, runs successfully in France. This technology switches seamlessly from electric traction on electrified sections of the lines to diesel on non-electrified ones, resulting in energy savings and reduced CO2 emissions on rail lines with only partial electrification.
- Contributing to the “Rail Energy Project” in the fields of energy components and energy operation as part of the 6th EU Research Framework Program. The objective is to develop energy saving hardware and control systems and define standardized driving cycles.
Standard on Prohibited and Restricted Substances
To ensure that harmful substances are not used in vehicles or other products, we have developed a list of Prohibited and Restricted Substances. All suppliers are required to comply with the list.
Reducing Emissions
Bombardier’s manufacturing network produces a relatively minor amount of greenhouse gas emissions. However, we are dedicated to reducing emissions even further, and avoid using any materials that may cause damage to the environment. Our initiatives include:
- Over a five-year period, Bombardier set an annual corporate-wide energy-reduction objective of 15 per cent to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- In 2006, Bombardier joined the Carbon Disclosure Project and disclosed all data relating to low-level emissions and its strategies on climate protection. The project aims to recognize climate-relevant opportunities and risks for companies.
- Via UNIFE, we became involved in the Rail Diesel Study, an initiative carried out by UIC, CER, UNIFE, Euromot and AEA Technology Environment to assess the possibilities for emission reductions. To achieve this, we are working directly with the manufacturers of engines and system parts.
Sharing Responsibilities with Suppliers and Partners
Working with our suppliers and partners, we strive to make our transportation systems and products increasingly sustainable. For example, the Bombardier Transportation Environmental Database involves suppliers directly, reducing the time needed for tasks such as creating a material inventory. The system enables us to reuse existing data, share data between business divisions, and store fire certificates linked to a product’s components.
Increasing the Recyclability of Our Products
We continually strive to increase the recyclability of our products. We use recycled materials and returnable packaging as much as possible, avoid blending materials and marking polymers and batteries.
To learn more about our environmental initiatives, please visit Case Studies.
