NORFOLK, Va., Nov. 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- For the second consecutive year, Norfolk Southern has achieved recognition as a U.S. leader in disclosing greenhouse gas emissions and climate-change information to investors and the marketplace through CDP, an environmental not-for-profit organization.

Norfolk Southern achieved a score of 99 out of 100 for carbon disclosure – up from 98 in 2014 – to earn a place on CDP's 2015 S&P Climate Disclosure Leadership Index, released today. The railroad scored within the top 10 percent of Standard & Poor's 500 Index companies that disclose information to CDP about how they measure and manage their greenhouse gas emissions and their risks and opportunities associated with climate change.

In addition to being named to the leadership index, Norfolk Southern received its best-ever CDP score for environmental performance, reflecting the railroad's long-term commitment to reduce its carbon footprint and the environmental impacts of business operations. The railroad, in its eighth year of participating in the voluntary CDP survey, received an A-minus for performance, up from a B.

"Norfolk Southern's CDP disclosure reflects the company's commitment to shareholders, communities, and customers to be transparent and accountable for our environmental performance," said Bruno Maestri, vice president government relations and corporate sustainability officer. "We strive to continuously improve our performance as an industry leader in sustainable business practices, and we are proud to be listed on the CDP leadership index."

In its 2015 CDP disclosure, Norfolk Southern describes strategic initiatives aimed at reducing environmental impacts while expanding freight rail capacity and providing carbon- and cost-efficient customer service. These efforts include investments in train-handling technologies, operations efficiencies, public-private partnerships, and network improvements.

Over the past five years, Norfolk Southern has lowered its greenhouse gas emissions by 8.5 percent per revenue ton-mile of freight and is striving to reach 10 percent during the next two years. In 2014, the company improved the fuel efficiency of its locomotive fleet by 2.2 percent; that translates into diesel fuel savings of 10.8 million gallons and avoidance of more than 109,500 metric tons of greenhouse gases.

Through the company's sustainability program, Norfolk Southern partners with a variety of stakeholders – including customers, conservation organizations, and state and federal agencies – to improve air quality through congestion-mitigation projects, emissions-reduction technologies, and other aspects of transportation logistics that boost the inherent environmental efficiencies of freight rail transportation.

CDP, formerly Carbon Disclosure Project, provides the only global system for companies and cities to measure, disclose, manage, and share vital environmental information. CDP works with 822 institutional investors with assets of $95 trillion to motivate companies to disclose their impacts on the environment and natural resources and take action to reduce them.

To learn more about Norfolk Southern's efforts to reduce its environmental impacts, view the railroad's CDP filing and 2015 sustainability report.

About Norfolk Southern
Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation's premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway Company subsidiary operates approximately 20,000 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia, serves every major container port in the eastern United States, and provides efficient connections to other rail carriers. Norfolk Southern operates the most extensive intermodal network in the East and is a major transporter of coal, automotive, and industrial products.

http://www.norfolksouthern.com

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/norfolk-southern-recognized-as-a-carbon-disclosure-leader-benefiting-investors-and-communities-300179453.html

SOURCE Norfolk Southern Corporation