CN highlights progress toward ESG targets

CN last week published its 2021 sustainability report data supplement.

The supplement, which builds on the company's 2020 Delivering Responsibly sustainability report, outlines key performance metrics in the areas of environment, safety, people, community and economy.

"We are raising our level of ambition to deliver for a sustainable future, to make a meaningful difference for our people, our customers and the many communities where we operate," said Janet Drysdale, CN vice president of financial planning and sustainability, in a press release.

CN's key environmental, social and governance (ESG) targets and 2021 progress covered in the supplement include:

• reducing scope 1 and 2 greenhouse-gas emission intensity by 43% by 2030 based on a 2019 baseline, and committing to setting a net-zero 2050 carbon emissions target. In 2021, CN reduced its GHG emission intensity for scope 1 and 2 by 3.3% from 2020. CN has realized a 15% progress toward its 2030 target;

• reducing air emissions intensity by 6% by 2022. In 2021, CN achieved its target;

• reducing the personal injury frequency rate by 55% by 2030 based on 2019 numbers. In 2021, CN improved its Federal Railroad Administration injury frequency rate by 19% from 2020. CN has realized a 59% progress toward its 2030 target;

• reducing the train accident frequency rate by 45% by 2030 based on 2019. In 2021, CN improved its FRA train accident rate by 3% from 2020. CN has realized a 41% progress toward its 2030 target;

• attain and maintain an executive management team in which at least 30% of members are women. At the end of 2021, six of the 35 executive management roles (17%) were held by women. As of July 31, eight of the 32 executive management roles (25%) were held by women; and

• attain and maintain a board composition in which at least 50% of non-management board members come from diverse groups, including gender parity. At the end of 2021, five of the 10 independent board members were women. CN has met its 2022 target. In addition, 20% of independent board members identified as visible minorities.