Norfolk Southern releases 2025 Forging a Better Tomorrow Report

Norfolk Southern has released its 2025 Forging a Better Tomorrow report, highlighting progress in building a safer, more resilient, and sustainable railroad. Covering the period from 2024 through early 2025, our annual report highlights the meaningful impact of our work—showcasing results that benefit our customers, communities, employees, and the broader economy.

Building a better planet

Sustainability is integrated across every part of our business, from improving fuel efficiency to reducing emissions and transitioning to a lower-carbon freight network. Guided by our Climate Transition Plan, we’re achieving measurable impact:

• Cut emissions by 16% since 2019, working toward a 42% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2034.
• 3% improvement in fuel efficiency YoY — setting annual and all-time records
• More than doubling biofuel use since 2022
• Launched RailGreen™, a first-of-its-kind emissions-reduction program helping customers reduce supply chain emissions

“Our commitment to sustainability is about strengthening the entire network for the future,” said Josh Raglin, Chief Sustainability Officer, Norfolk Southern. “It’s embedded in how we operate, how we invest, and how we serve our customers and communities. The Forging a Better Tomorrow report shows how our railroaders are moving freight smarter, greener, and more fluidly.” 

Advancing a culture of safety

Safety is a core value at Norfolk Southern. We’re advancing our safety culture through employee engagement, new technology, and support for first responders:

• 35% reduction in FRA-reportable mainline train accident rate
• 25% reduction in train accident rate
• $2.2M+ support to first responder organizations through our Safety First Grant program
• 17 new acoustic bearing detectors deployed across our network and five new Digital Train Inspection Portals installed

Investing in service and growth

As a leader in rail transportation, we aim to set the industry standard for operational excellence and innovation. We’re investing in the infrastructure, technology, and customer partnerships to support long-term economic growth and supply chain efficiency:

• $1B in infrastructure improvements to optimize service
• 149 customer-advanced industrial development projects
• $350M+ secured through public-private partnerships to reduce blocked crossings and enhance mobility
• Powering the future of rail from planning to the last mile with next-generation innovations like autonomous track inspection and real-time tracking

Strengthening communities and our workforce

We’re committed to the people and communities that power our network through charitable giving, volunteerism, and workforce development:

• $18.3M total giving to charitable organizations, including $6M+ in grants
• 4,000+ employee volunteer hours across our network
• Supported craft employees through early union agreements, a new Labor Council, and hands-on engagement like companywide town halls

To explore the full report and highlights document, visit https://www.norfolksouthern.com/en/commitments/who-we-are/forging-a-better-tomorrow/2025report.