KCS emissions-reduction targets OK'd by SBTi

Kansas City Southern's (KCS) emissions-reduction targets have been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) as consistent with levels required to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.

The targets covering greenhouse gas emissions from KCS’ operations are consistent with reductions required to keep warming to well-below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, KCS officials said in a press release.

The SBTi approved KCS’ target to reduce scope 1 and 2 greenhouse-gas emissions intensity 42% per million gross ton-miles by 2034 from a 2019 base year. Earlier this year, KCS announced its commitment to setting a science-based greenhouse-gas emissions-reduction target.

Railroads already are one of the most efficient modes of transportation, KCS officials said. Moving freight by rail instead of truck reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 75%. In 2020, KCS moved a ton of freight 414 miles on an average of a single gallon of fuel.