Norfolk Southern publishes its first climate transition plan

Norfolk Southern Railway’s latest report, “Forging a Better Tomorrow,” highlights the Class I’s progress on advancing its first climate-transition plan.

Covering actions taken in 2023 through early 2024, the report highlights NS’ efforts to foster a sustainable, economic ecosystem with community benefits across the railroad’s 22-state network.

The NS climate transit plan calls for reducing greenhouse gas emissions intensity 42% by 2034. Key ways the railroad aims to achieve that goal include:
• improving locomotive fuel efficiency 13% by 2027;
• increasing renewable energy usage to 30% by 2030; and
• reaching 20% consumption of low-carbon fuels by 2034.

The report also covers the safety improvements that NS has made across its network, including:
• a 38% reduction in mainline accident rate year-over-year in 2023;
• installation of 187 out of a planned 259 hot-bearing detector systems since announcing the company’s six-point safety plan;
• deployment of 17 new acoustic bearing detectors;
• a reduction in the Federal Railroad Administration personal injury index from 1.51 in 2020 to 1.09 in 2023;
• introduction of the next evolution of the safety culture for employees; and
• becoming the first Class I to participate in the FRA’s Confidential Close Call Reporting System.

"Our investments in safety, our people and sustainability are not only fundamental to our values but are also aligned to our strategy of driving innovation, operational excellence, and sustainable growth, ensuring long-term value for all stakeholders,” said NS President and CEO Alan Shaw in a press release.