KCS releases latest sustainability report

Kansas City Southern yesterday unveiled a report highlighting the Class I's sustainable business practices in 2018.

Titled "For the Long Haul: Delivering Prosperity, Valuing People, Protecting the Planet,"  the report illustrates why sustainable practices are important to the company's business, said KCS President and Chief Executive officer Patrick Ottensmeyer in a press release.

"Responsible business practices are key to KCS' vision, values and culture, and to maintaining strong relationships with our stakeholders," Ottensmeyer said.

The report follows the Global Reporting Initiative’s (GRI) latest standards for disclosing governance, economic, social and environmental topics. The GRI standards provide for the disclosure of measurable data and specific information related to sustainability, KCS officials said.

According to the report, KCS last year:
• reduced its carbon footprint by reducing waste and energy usage through design and innovations, and decreased greenhouse gas emissions by utilizing fuel-reduction technologies and operational initiatives;
• diversified its workforce and optimized employee experiences via innovative technologies; and
• reduced reportable injuries and made operations more safe and secure, such as by reaching a goal to make all required route miles fully positive train control compliant.

The Class I also began to implement precision scheduled railroading (PSR), laying the groundwork for what became in 2019 KCS’ PSR, which is helping the company realize significant efficiency and productivity improvements, the railroad’s officials said.