CSX Issues 2020 ESG Report

CSX has released its environmental, social and governance (ESG) report for 2020, covering sustainability performance in the areas of safety, people and communities, environment, and governance.

The report (download below) was prepared in accordance with sustainability reporting frameworks, including the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards, the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), to advance transparency and accountability, according to CSX.

Among the highlights of the Class I railroad’s 2020 accomplishments:

• 10% reduction in Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Personal Injury Frequency Index.
• 85% of all gate transactions now use XGate, a new system that “not only accelerates the pace of customer deliveries, but also reduces potential emissions at intermodal terminals by up to 90%.”
• 16% more cars processed (per hour worked).
• 5% improvement in fuel efficiency.
• CSX invested $9.4 million in fuel efficiency measures, such as technologies and locomotive use.
• 11% reduction in total absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions since 2019, and 3.4% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions intensity since 2019.
• Just six years into CSX’s 15-year GHG emissions intensity target as approved by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), the railroad achieved 34% of its 37.3% reduction target.
• CSX invested nearly $1.4 billion in critical infrastructure improvements to ensure safety, including track, bridges, signals, equipment and detection technology. Total capital spending was $1.6 billion. New ties installed: 2.95 million. New rail installed: 899 linear miles. Surfacing: 4,543 miles.
• CSX developed “a cross-functional social justice advisory roundtable of employees and leaders to strategize and execute a plan to combat racial injustice,” and deployed “a wide-ranging action plan to help strengthen inclusion in our own corporate culture and within the communities we serve.”
• The diversity in the CSX leadership team increased from 26% in 2019 to 32% in 2020.
• In 2020, women accounted for 22% of new management hires and 27% of management promotions.

“This year’s report demonstrates how, through the adoption of new technologies and operating practices, we continued to deliver strong safety and environmental performance, increasing our sustainability advantage, setting records for fuel efficiency and exceeding our emissions reduction targets,” CSX President and CEO James M. Foote said. “The report also highlights CSX’s activities that increased social justice awareness, education and communication, and advanced the company’s commitment to professional development and workforce diversity, equity and inclusion.”