Making sustainable freight work in the real world

Shifting freight from road to rail can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75% on average and up to 90% in some cases, offering companies a way to lower their supply chain emissions without compromising business performance.

That opportunity was a central focus at the Smart Freight Centre Fall Meeting in Atlanta, where Norfolk Southern Chief Sustainability Officer Josh Raglin joined freight and logistics leaders Oct. 20–22 to discuss practical ways to make sustainable shipping work.

Top Takeaway

• NS highlighted how rail can help companies lower supply chain emissions while meeting the cost, reliability, and service needs that drive transportation decisions.

Making the shift to rail work

Throughout the meeting, Raglin explored how the freight industry can make rail a more accessible and competitive option for customers.

During a Road to Rail panel with representatives from Michelin, J.B. Hunt, and C.H. Robinson, Raglin explored what's driving intermodal growth and how collaboration between railroads, logistics providers, and shippers can help more freight move by rail.

The discussion also highlighted the growing alignment between sustainability and procurement teams, as companies increasingly recognize intermodal as an opportunity to achieve both emissions reductions and business objectives.

He also joined other major railroads for an interactive workshop focused on overcoming barriers to shifting freight to rail, from operational considerations to emerging technologies and customer-facing solutions.

What we’re saying

“Reducing supply chain emissions works best when sustainability and business performance move together. Rail offers companies an efficient, lower-emissions way to move freight at scale, and we have an opportunity to build on those advantages through greater reliability, visibility and connectivity for customers. That takes collaboration across the freight industry.” - Josh Raglin, Chief Sustainability Officer, Norfolk Southern.

The big picture

Norfolk Southern is working with customers and industry partners to expand the benefits rail can bring to more supply chains. By helping customers capitalize on rail’s efficiency and lower-emissions advantage, including identifying opportunities to shift freight from road to rail, NS is helping companies advance sustainability goals while supporting their business needs.

Learn more about rail’s advantages and NS’s sustainability efforts here.