As a leading provider of freight-rail service — the most sustainable mode of moving freight over land — Norfolk Southern plays a crucial role in reducing global supply-chain emissions and fostering a transition to a low-carbon economy. Through our environmental stewardship efforts, sustainable business practices, infrastructure investments, and economic performance, we demonstrate our commitment to building a better planet every day.  

In December 2023, we released our first-ever Climate Transition Plan (CTP) as part of our commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable practices within the transportation industry. Together, we are setting the standard for a cleaner rail industry with our CTP aiming to deliver a 42% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity by 2034.

We are also advancing sustainability throughout our intermodal network. We have committed to a multi-year initiative to replace all 68 diesel-powered cranes at our terminals with hybrid or fully electric models by 2034. In 2023, we successfully upgraded 23 cranes at various terminals, including 17 diesel-electric hybrids at our Austell, Georgia, terminal with an additional 11 replaced last year. Additionally, we integrated six fully electric cranes, expanding the Austell fleet to 74 units. The new cranes enhance container stacking capacity, promote growth at our intermodal terminals, and contribute to our fuel efficiency and emissions reduction goals.

Also at our Austell intermodal terminal, newly installed solar panels started producing energy for the rail yard in mid-November 2023. The majority of the generated power will be consumed

directly on-site, serving the energy needs of the terminal. The remaining power will be directed back into the grid through the Georgia Power system, benefiting the local community by providing clean and renewable energy. This solar power project is a pioneering effort by Norfolk Southern, marking the first installation of its kind. In the first six months of service, the panels generated 190,952 KWh of solar power. Since installation in November, we have sold 56,160 KWh to Georgia Power — enough to serve a total of 70 homes.

These initiatives represent a snapshot of our ongoing commitment to sustainability over the past year. For a more comprehensive look at how we are working to build a better planet, check out our full “Forging a Better Tomorrow” report and download the highlights here.