Green enterprise
NS is committed to green enterprise, focusing on what we refer to as the ‘Trias Natura’. This means that we protect, harness and enrich the natural environment. Together with ProRail and the municipalities, we improve and maintain biodiversity at and around stations. Every year, we aim to improve biodiversity and the quality of the natural environment in an area of 2,500 to 5,000 m2. We achieved this target in 2024 by implementing several measures that further enhance biodiversity and the natural environment:
An eco-friendly mowing scheme: we mow grassland at stations once or twice a year and dispose of the clippings in Limburg. This reduces the amount of nutrients in the soil, giving herbs and plants a chance to grow. Our aim is to do this for all NS land in the Netherlands.
Sowing native flower mixes: we use native plant species that are well suited to the station's environment and are a good food source for fauna, such as bees and butterflies. This mix does not grow as high as general mixes, ensuring sightlines and therefore safety. In 2024, we sowed flowers at Oss, De Westereen and Den Dolder stations.
Planting perennials: we plant a diverse mix of native and non-native perennials at stations. This not only looks attractive, but also creates an ideal environment for a wide range of insects and animals: combining ornamental value with biodiversity value. This year, we planted at 11 stations.
Planting trees: we planted 13 trees at four stations in 2024, including Assen and Zaandam Kogerveld. Since 2020, we have been planting 10 native trees every year in station environments where there is sufficient space and distance from the track. Trees provide cooling benefits, capture CO2 and particulate matter, allow water to penetrate the soil properly and are a home to creatures including birds and insects. Critical consideration is given to the right location and type of tree to ensure that the tree can remain in place for a long time.
Installing nature roofs: we installed our first nature roof at Deventer station this year. Green roofs help to insulate buildings, retain water during rainfall and improve biodiversity in the city. Nature roofs are even more biodiverse and can contain flowers and herbs in addition to sedum.
Measuring biodiversity: all stations underwent an EcoCheck to measure their biodiversity value in 2024. This process gave us an insight into how to improve that value. The results ranged between 0 and 7.8, with an average value of 4.5 on a scale of 0 to 10, with the highest scores mainly found in the north-east Netherlands. There has traditionally been more space in these regions, making it easier to integrate natural features. The EcoCheck is carried out after any changes in the green spaces at a station, as this affects the score.
Larger plant-based offering
Demand for plant-based food is growing. That is why we are increasing the plant-based offering in shops at stations. Examples include the growing range of fruit, vegetable snacks, vegan snacks, sandwiches, salads and plant-based dairy for coffee at Kiosk, the Station Living Rooms and Julia's. Plant-based products are marked with special green price tags.