CSX says leaner operations, more tech will help reduce emissions 37% by 2030

CSX pledged to reduce it's carbon emissions by 37% by 2030, based on a 2014 baseline, the company announced last week. The railroad made the commitment through the Science-based Target Initiative (SBTi), which sets standards and verifies companies' efforts to reduce emissions in line with the level of decarbonization required to keep global temperature increase below 2 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels. The railroad will employ technology and operational strategies to increase fuel efficiency to meet the goal. Carbon offsets may also be part of the efforts, Meaghan Atkinson, CSX's manager of environmental programs told Supply Chain Dive in emailed comments. "Everything is on the table," she said. Of the Class I railroads, Canadian National Railway has also set targets with the SBTI (29% reduction by 2030 from a 2015 baseline) and Union Pacific committed this month to set targets within the next two years. The railroad decided to commit to the SBTi after it reached a 2020 goal of reducing emissions 6%-8% based on a 2012 baseline two years early, according to Atkinson.