Canadian National Railway Sustainability Profile
Canadian National Railway (CN) is a leading North American transportation and logistics company headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Founded in 1919, CN has established itself as a vital player in the rail industry, operating a vast network that spans Canada and parts of the United States. The company primarily focuses on freight transportation, offering services in intermodal, bulk commodities, and automotive sectors. CN's unique integrated supply chain solutions and commitment to sustainability set it apart in the competitive landscape. With a strong market position, CN has achieved numerous accolades, including recognition for operational efficiency and safety. As a cornerstone of the Canadian economy, Canadian National Railway continues to drive innovation and growth in the transportation sector.
DitchCarbon Score
How does Canadian National Railway's carbon action stack up? DitchCarbon scores companies based on their carbon action and commitment to reducing emissions. Read about our methodology to learn more.
Industry Average
Mean score of companies in the Rail Transport industry. Comparing a company's score to the industry average can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
Industry Benchmark
Canadian National Railway's score of 81 is higher than 90% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
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Canadian National Railway's reported carbon emissions
In 2024, Canadian National Railway (CNR) reported total greenhouse gas emissions of approximately 7,091,464,000 kg CO2e, comprising 4,822,195,520 kg CO2e from Scope 1, 70,914,640 kg CO2e from Scope 2, and 2,198,353,840 kg CO2e from Scope 3 emissions. In 2023, the total emissions were about 7,380,000,000 kg CO2e, with Scope 1 emissions at 4,309,099,000 kg CO2e, Scope 2 at 93,762,000 kg CO2e, and Scope 3 at 2,103,373,000 kg CO2e. CNR has set ambitious climate commitments, including a target to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, as part of the "Business Ambition for 1.5°C" initiative. The company aims to reduce its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 43% per million gross ton miles (GTM) by 2030, using 2019 as the baseline year. Additionally, CNR plans to cut Scope 3 emissions from fuel and energy-related activities by 40% per GTM by 2030, and all other absolute Scope 3 emissions by 27.5% by the same year. CNR's long-term goal includes a significant reduction of absolute Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions by 90% by 2050, also based on 2019 levels. These targets have been validated by the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi), ensuring alignment with global climate goals.
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| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 5,339,172,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 |
| Scope 2 | 193,613,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 |
| Scope 3 | 2,578,190,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 |
How Carbon Intensive is Canadian National Railway's Industry?
How Carbon Intensive is Canadian National Railway's Location?
Canadian National Railway's Scope 3 Categories Breakdown
Canadian National Railway's Scope 3 emissions, which increased by 5% last year and decreased by approximately 15% since 2015, demonstrating supply chain emissions tracking. A significant portion of their carbon footprint comes from suppliers and value chain emissions, with Scope 3 emissions accounting for 31% of total emissions under the GHG Protocol, with "Capital Goods" being the largest emissions source at 20% of Scope 3 emissions.
Top Scope 3 Categories
Canadian National Railway's Climate Goals (2030 & 2050)
Climate goals typically focus on 2030 interim targets and 2050 net-zero commitments, aligned with global frameworks like the Paris Agreement and Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to ensure alignment with global climate goals.
Canadian National Railway has established climate goals through participation in recognized frameworks and target-setting initiatives. Companies often set interim 2030 targets and long-term 2050 net-zero goals to demonstrate measurable progress toward decarbonization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Canadian National Railway's sustainability data and climate commitments