CN, CSX and CP achieve climate change leadership status

Corporate environmental awareness grows as climate leaders emerge

(Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves)

Railways CN (NYSE: CNI), CSX (NASDAQ: CSX) and Canadian Pacific (NYSE: CP) made it to the Carbon Disclosure Project’s (CDP) leadership level for climate change on Tuesday. 

Only 5% of the more than 5,800 companies scored by the CDP joined CSX and CN on the A List for climate. With scores ranging from A to F, Canadian Pacific (CP) received an A-minus climate rating from the CDP. 

The CDP annually scores companies that disclose environmental data related to the climate, deforestation and water scarcity. CDP said the benefits of disclosing the data include protecting company reputation, gaining a competitive advantage and benchmarking progress. 

CSX announced it ranked at the top for U.S.-based Class I railroads this year. The company said it’s the eighth straight year CDP has given CSX leadership status. CSX has a goal to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity by 37.3% by 2030 based on 2014 levels, according to its 2019 environmental, social and governance (ESG) report

In a press release, CN President and CEO JJ Ruest said the company is honored to be recognized by the CDP for the 11th consecutive year. CN’s latest CDP report says it is committed to reducing GHG emissions intensity by 29% by 2030, using 2015 as a baseline. The report says CN has already reduced its locomotive GHG emissions intensity by 40% since 1993.

A CP release said the railway is proud to be a leader in climate action and that it is committed to meeting a science-based emissions reduction target. CP’s goal to reduce GHG emissions intensity by 6% from 2018 to 2022 using 2017 as a baseline is available in the company’s 2019 CDP submission.

None of the three railways disclosed environmental information on their impacts on water scarcity or forests to the CDP in 2020. Find out how all companies that disclosed information to the CDP scored here.

Dexter Galvin, CDP global director of corporations and supply chains, congratulated the A-listers saying, “Through their action and transparency, they are getting ahead of the pack and will seize the benefits as we transition to a net-zero sustainable economy.”


The CDP reported more than 9,600 companies disclosed data this year, a 14% increase since last year despite the COVID-19 pandemic. The CDP said that the A List has grown by 45% since last year, indicating a growth in environmental awareness among corporations.

Click here for more FreightWaves articles by Alyssa Sporrer.

Related Stories:

TCI Fund Management seeks climate action from CP and CN

5 rail sustainability trends for 2021

Rail manufacturers Wabtec and Greenbrier share plans to fight climate change

Upcoming FreightWaves Events
Compliance

Brokerage Compliance Symposium

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Awards

F3 Awards Dinner

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
FreightTech

F3: Future of Freight Festival

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

October 27, 2026 – October 28, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Compliance Brokerage Compliance Symposium Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
Awards F3 Awards Dinner Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
FreightTech F3: Future of Freight Festival Oct 27 – Oct 28 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now

Alyssa Sporrer

Alyssa is a staff writer at FreightWaves, covering sustainability news in the freight and supply chain industry, from low-carbon fuels to social sustainability, emissions & more. She graduated from Iowa State University with a double major in Marketing and Environmental Studies. She is passionate about all things environmental and enjoys outdoor activities such as skiing, ultimate frisbee, hiking, and soccer.