VIA Rail Canada unveils five-year sustainability plan

VIA Rail Canada has revealed its five-year sustainability plan in accordance with the United Nations Global Compact, the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative.

The plan contributes to Canada’s various strategies and objectives, and embeds environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance in the company’s operations, VIA Rail officials said in a press release. The railroad reviewed its policies, practices and priorities in 2020 in preparation for the creation of a sustainability plan.

VIA Rail aims to achieve the following goals by 2025:
• reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by 30% or more by 2030;
• offer zero-waste trains in the Quebec City-Windsor corridor;
• train all employees in sustainability practices;
• align 80% of community investments with the priorities of this sustainability plan; and
• reach 80% integration of the responsible sourcing policy by suppliers.

"This plan focuses ... on climate action, responsible sourcing and waste management and it will be yet another way for VIA Rail to be part of the solution in helping Canada create a more sustainable future for all," said VIA Rail President and CEO Cynthia Garneau.