Norfolk Southern report highlights progress on sustainability, safety, innovation, employee and community engagement

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Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC) released its 'Forging a Better Tomorrow' report, highlighting significant strides in sustainability, safety, and community investment over 2023 and early 2024. The report details the company’s Climate Transition Plan (CTP), targeting a 42% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2034, with milestones including a 13% improvement in locomotive fuel efficiency by 2027 and a 30% increase in renewable energy usage by 2030.

Safety enhancements led to a 38% reduction in the mainline accident rate in 2023. The company implemented 187 hot bearing detector systems and deployed 17 new acoustic bearing detectors. Norfolk Southern also reduced its FRA Personal Injury Index by almost 14% since 2020.

Community investments reached $3.1 billion, creating 4,156 jobs and serving 60% of the U.S. population through a 19,300-mile network. Initiatives included doubling corporate giving and creating new organizational roles and programs to enhance community engagement and workforce development.

ATLANTA, July 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Norfolk Southern Corporation's (NYSE: NSC) latest "Forging a Better Tomorrow" report details the company's progress on advancing its first-ever Climate Transition Plan (CTP), enhancing safety, and investing in its communities. The annual report, covering 2023 through early 2024, highlights Norfolk Southern's contributions that foster a sustainable economic ecosystem with community benefits across its 22-state network and growth opportunities for its customers, including 27 million highway miles eliminated daily.

"At Norfolk Southern, we are dedicated to leaving the planet better than we found it, each customer and community well-served, and each employee experience enriched," said Norfolk Southern President and CEO Alan H. Shaw. "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."

Norfolk Southern is setting the standard for a cleaner rail industry with its first-ever CTP, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity 42% by 2034. Key milestones to achieve this goal include:

• Fuel Efficiency: improving locomotive fuel efficiency 13% by 2027
• Renewable Energy: increasing renewable energy usage to 30% by 2030
• Biofuels: reaching 20% consumption of low-carbon fuels by 2034

"As a leading provider of freight-rail service, Norfolk Southern takes our role in reducing global supply chain emissions and fostering a transition to a low-carbon economy very seriously," said Norfolk Southern Chief Sustainability Officer Josh Raglin. "We've made tremendous achievements towards sustainability in the past year as we've worked further towards our goal of not only forging a better tomorrow but building a better planet for future generations as well."

Norfolk Southern also implemented various safety enhancements across its network, with the dedication and commitment of all 20,000 Norfolk Southern railroaders prioritizing safety every day. In doing so, Norfolk Southern achieved the following: 

• An approximate 38% reduction in mainline accident rate year-over-year in 2023
• Installed 187 out of a planned 259 hot bearing detector systems since announcing a Six-Point Safety Plan
• Deployed 17 new acoustic bearing detectors, significantly expanding the Norfolk Southern safety technology network
• Brought Norfolk Southern's FRA Personal Injury Index down from 1.51 in 2020 to 1.09 in 2023, almost 14% lower than the 10-year average
• Introduced the next evolution of safety culture for employees, shifting from a compliance-oriented ("have to") mindset to a commitment-driven ("want to") attitude
• Became the first Class I railroad to participate in the Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3RS), a program where employees can confidentially report safety concerns

Norfolk Southern served communities within its 22-state network through community investment, economic development, and infrastructure enhancement:

• Customer Investments: $3.1B
• Jobs Created: 4,156
• Infrastructure Investments: $1B
• 60% U.S. Population Served
• 19,300 Route Miles of Rail Lines

Norfolk Southern has launched several key initiatives to ensure safe, sustainable operations, support local workforce development, and foster strong, thriving communities:

• Doubled its network-wide investments in corporate giving from 2022
• Created an industry-first Director Community Engagement position
• Formed an official Public Private Partnerships team
• Launched Safety First and Thriving Communities grant programs

Continuing to prioritize investments in its people, Norfolk Southern:

• Enhanced conductor training through its Ballast Line Leadership Program
• Established an industry-first formal council with labor leaders
• Operationalized companywide inclusion with an official Inclusion Leadership Council
• Became the first Class I railroad to provide every conductor and engineer with predictable, scheduled time off

To access the full report and highlights document, please visit here.  

About Norfolk Southern
Since 1827, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) and its predecessor companies have safely moved the goods and materials that drive the U.S. economy. Today, it operates a customer-centric and operations-driven freight transportation network. Committed to furthering sustainability, Norfolk Southern helps its customers avoid approximately 15 million tons of yearly carbon emissions by shipping via rail. Its dedicated team members deliver more than 7 million carloads annually, from agriculture to consumer goods, and Norfolk Southern originates more automotive traffic than any other Class I Railroad. Norfolk Southern also has the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern U.S. It serves a majority of the country's population and manufacturing base, with connections to every major container port on the Atlantic coast as well as major ports in the Gulf of Mexico and Great Lakes. Learn more by visiting www.NorfolkSouthern.com.

 

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SOURCE Norfolk Southern Corporation

FAQ

What is Norfolk Southern's Climate Transition Plan?

Norfolk Southern's Climate Transition Plan aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 42% by 2034. The plan includes improving locomotive fuel efficiency by 13% by 2027 and increasing renewable energy usage to 30% by 2030.

How did Norfolk Southern improve safety in 2023?

In 2023, Norfolk Southern achieved a 38% reduction in mainline accident rates, installed 187 hot bearing detector systems, deployed 17 new acoustic bearing detectors, and reduced the FRA Personal Injury Index to 1.09.

What community investments has Norfolk Southern made?

Norfolk Southern invested $3.1 billion in customer projects, created 4,156 jobs, and committed to infrastructure investments worth $1 billion. These efforts cover a 19,300-mile rail network, serving 60% of the U.S. population.

What are some of the sustainability milestones Norfolk Southern aims to achieve by 2034?

By 2034, Norfolk Southern aims to improve locomotive fuel efficiency by 13%, increase renewable energy usage to 30%, and reach a 20% consumption of low-carbon fuels.

What initiatives has Norfolk Southern launched to support communities?

Norfolk Southern has doubled corporate giving, created new roles like Director Community Engagement, formed a Public Private Partnerships team, and introduced grant programs such as Safety First and Thriving Communities.

What is Norfolk Southern's approach to employee safety and culture?

Norfolk Southern introduced a commitment-driven safety culture, participated in the Confidential Close Call Reporting System, and enhanced conductor training through programs like Ballast Line Leadership.