Press release -
Building on Hitachi’s global sustainability leadership
Hitachi Rail’s 2025 Sustainability Statement highlights contribution to business’s ESG strategy
London – Following the launch of Hitachi’s new sustainability report and strategy, PLEDGES, in April 2025, Hitachi Rail has published its 2025 Sustainability Statement, underscoring its leading role in the transition to low-emission mobility and reporting tangible progress across all ESG pillars.
With sustainability at the core of its business strategy, Hitachi developed a group-wide strategy, "PLEDGES," consisting of seven strategic pillars* that underpin Hitachi’s sustainability efforts, along with the targets it aims to achieve over the next three years. The ambitious targets include a 75% reduction by 2027 (versus 2019) in greenhouse gases at its operational sites (Scope 1 and 2).
In line with Hitachi’s PLEDGES strategy, Hitachi Rail has reaffirmed its commitment to leading the sustainable development of the mobility sector by driving innovation, reducing environmental impact, and promoting responsible practices across its operations and partnerships.
- Zero waste to landfill at the Hagerstown (USA), Naples, and Reggio Calabria (Italy) sites.
- Carbon-neutral digital factory opened in Hagerstown: powered entirely by renewable electricity and photovoltaics.
- Continued progress on ‘tri-mode’ trains, including a UK contract for intercity battery trains, offering flexibility to run on electrified and non-electrified tracks.
- Applied Eco-Design principles to 100% of new vehicles developed.
- Expanded use of digital technologies including the launch of HMAX to optimize energy efficiency and accelerate the ecological transition.
- Advanced the BeWell program, promoting the well-being and mental health of our employees
Hitachi Rail’s 2025 report aligns with the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) and unveils a renewed Double Materiality Assessment (DMA) approach under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), supported by extensive stakeholder engagement. This methodology integrates financial performance, risk management, and operational activities, ensuring compliance and best practice through a comprehensive evaluation of material ESG topics.
Giuseppe Marino, Group CEO, Hitachi Rail said: “Hitachi Rail is a business with a clear social purpose and our 2025 Statement underlines that sustainability is as the core of our growth. By embedding the PLEDGES strategy at the core of our operations and decision-making, we are positioning our business to meet global challenges and deliver on our mission: the sustainable mobility transition.
With over 24,000 employees across more than 50 countries, Hitachi Rail brings together diverse cultures and perspectives. Guided by the strong belief that valuing diversity and fostering an inclusive culture strengthens the business, drives innovation, and enables the company to better serve its customers and communities, in FY24 Hitachi Rail continued to advance its commitment to inclusion and equity through dedicated programs and initiatives. Across FY24, employee engagement increased by nearly five percentage points, year on year.
Based on its founding philosophy to "Contribute to society through the development of superior, original technology and products," Hitachi has been addressing social issues over its 110-year history. This philosophy is reflected in its new management plan, Inspire 2027, which aims to deliver value to society and enhance corporate value by focusing on social issues and further leveraging Hitachi's strength in IT, OT, and products. With the global competitive landscape rapidly changing, Hitachi believes in sustainability as a foundation of competitiveness.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
*Hitachi’s PLEDGES
Topics
About Hitachi, Ltd.
Through its Social Innovation Business (SIB) that brings together IT, OT(Operational Technology) and products, Hitachi contributes to a harmonized society where the environment, wellbeing, and economic growth are in balance. Hitachi operates globally in four sectors – Digital Systems & Services, Energy, Mobility, and Connective Industries – and the Strategic SIB Business Unit for new growth businesses. With Lumada at its core, Hitachi generates value from integrating data, technology and domain knowledge to solve customer and social challenges. Revenues for FY2024 (ended March 31, 2025) totaled 9,783.3 billion yen, with 618 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 280,000 employees worldwide. Visit us at www.hitachi.com.
About Hitachi Rail
Hitachi Rail is committed to driving the sustainable mobility transition and has a clear focus on partnering with customers to rethink mobility. Its mission is to help every passenger, customer and community enjoy the benefits of more connected, seamless and sustainable transport.
With revenues of over €7bn and 24,000 employees across more than 50 countries, Hitachi Rail is a trusted partner to the world’s best transport organisations. The company's reach is global, but the business is local - with success built on developing local talent and investing in people and communities.
Its international capabilities and expertise span every part of the urban, mainline and freight rail ecosystems – from high quality manufacturing and maintenance of rolling stock to secure digital signalling, smart operations and payment systems.
Hitachi Rail, famous for Japan's iconic high speed bullet train, draws on the digital and AI expertise of Hitachi Group companies to accelerate innovation and develop new technologies.
Find out more by visiting hitachirail.com or our press site here.
