📣 Introducing Tracenable Pro: Unlock Unlimited Data Exports & Disclosures Access.

Norfolk Southern Corp

Common Name
Norfolk Southern
Country
United States
Sector
Industrials
Industry
Railroads
Employees
19,600
Ticker
NSC
Exchange
NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE, INC.
Description
Norfolk Southern Corporation is a major North American railroad company specializing in freight rail transportation across the eastern United States. Its operations encompass the movement of a wide sp...

Norfolk Southern's GHG Emissions Data Preview

In 2024, Norfolk Southern completed a corporate carbon footprint assessment and publicly disclosed its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions according to the GHG Protocol, covering Scope 1 (direct emissions from owned or controlled sources), Scope 2 (indirect emissions from purchased energy) and Scope 3 (indirect emissions across the value chain).

Norfolk Southern has also provided a category-level breakdown for 8 out of 15 Scope 3 emissions categories, offering greater transparency into its value chain emissions.

Metric (tCO2e)2024202320222021 - 2017
Total Scope 1
Copy restricted. Please purchase to unlock this data.
a
Copy restricted. Please purchase to unlock this data.
a
Copy restricted. Please purchase to unlock this data.
a
0000000
Total Scope 2
Market-Based
Copy restricted. Please purchase to unlock this data.
a
Copy restricted. Please purchase to unlock this data.
a
Copy restricted. Please purchase to unlock this data.
a
0000000
Location-Based
Copy restricted. Please purchase to unlock this data.
a
Copy restricted. Please purchase to unlock this data.
a
Copy restricted. Please purchase to unlock this data.
a
0000000
Total Scope 3
Copy restricted. Please purchase to unlock this data.
a
Copy restricted. Please purchase to unlock this data.
b
Copy restricted. Please purchase to unlock this data.
0000000
Total Scope 1 Revenue Intensity (tCO2e/$M)
Copy restricted. Please purchase to unlock this data.
a
Copy restricted. Please purchase to unlock this data.
a
Copy restricted. Please purchase to unlock this data.
a
0000000
Download Data
Access this data via API
$curl "https://tracenable.com/api/v1/ghg-emissions/absolute?ticker=NSC&reporting_period=2024"

Verified Sources Behind Norfolk Southern’s Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Data

Every figure on this dashboard has a transparent audit trail. With Tracenable, each data point is traceable back to its original source, viewable directly inside our platform. Explore Norfolk Southern’s data sources below and access millions more through our Disclosure Search.

a. Norfolk Southern's CDP Climate sourced from company’s website 2025
a. Norfolk Southern's CDP Climate sourced from company’s website 2025
b. Norfolk Southern's Sustainability Report 2024
b. Norfolk Southern's Sustainability Report 2024
c. Norfolk Southern's CDP Climate sourced from company’s website 2020
c. Norfolk Southern's CDP Climate sourced from company’s website 2020

Insights into Norfolk Southern's Operational Emissions

In 2024, the total operational greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions ofNorfolk Southern amounted to4,190,489metric tons of CO2 equivalent.This figure includes both direct emissions from owned or controlled sources (Scope 1) and indirect emissions from purchased energy (Scope 2).a

Compared to 2023, the total operational greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of Norfolk Southerndecreased by 1.25%, showing that the company has made progress in taking action to reduce the climate impact of its operations.a

Norfolk Southern's Scope 1 Emissions Over Time

2019202020222023202401.5 M3 M4.5 M6 MtCO2e-21%+9%-1%-1%
  • Total Scope 1
  • Year-over-Year Change

What are Norfolk Southern's Scope 1 emissions?

In 2024, the total Scope 1 emissions of Norfolk Southern were 4,054,131 metric tons of COâ‚‚ equivalent (tCOâ‚‚e).a

Has Norfolk Southern reduced its Scope 1 emissions over time?

Since 2019, Norfolk Southern's Scope 1 emissions have decreased by 15.26%, reflecting a declining long-term trend in Scope 1 emissions over time.ac

Compared to the previous year(2023), Norfolk Southern's Scope 1 emissions decreased by 1.08%, highlighting the company's efforts to lower direct emissions from assets it owns or controls.a

What are Norfolk Southern's Scope 2 emissions?

In 2024, Norfolk Southern reported Scope 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of 136,083 tCOâ‚‚e using the market-based method and 136,358 tCOâ‚‚e using the location-based method.a

Has Norfolk Southern reduced its Scope 2 emissions over time?

Since 2019, Norfolk Southern's Scope 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (Location-Based)have decreased by 32.32%, reflecting a declining long-term trend in Scope 2 emissions over time.ac

Compared to the previous year(2023), Norfolk Southern's Scope 2 emissions(Location-Based) have remained relatively stable, indicating that Norfolk Southern's emissions have plateaued with no significant change in its energy consumption footprint.a

What methodology does Norfolk Southern use for Scope 2 reporting?

In 2024, Norfolk Southern reported its Scope 2 emissions using the market-based method and using the location-based method.a

Norfolk Southern's Scope 2 Emissions Over Time

201920202021202220232024055 k110 k165 k220 ktCO2e
  • Total Scope 2 Location-Based
  • Total Scope 2 Market-Based

Insights into Norfolk Southern's Value Chain Emissions

In 2024, Norfolk Southern reported 1,773,373 metric tons of COâ‚‚ equivalent (tCOâ‚‚e) of Scope 3 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, representing indirect emissions across its upstream and downstream value chain.a

The 2024 disclosure of Norfolk Southern includes a breakdown across 8of the 15 Scope 3 categories defined by the GHG Protocol,up from 1 in 2023, reflecting improved emissions accounting practices and greater transparency across the company's value chaina

Norfolk Southern's Scope 3 Emissions Over Time

20192020202320240800 k1.6 M2.4 M3.2 MtCO2e-26%-10%-11%
  • Total Scope 3
  • Year-over-Year Change

What are Norfolk Southern's Scope 3 emissions?

In 2024, Norfolk Southern reported total Scope 3 emissions of 1,773,373 metric tons of COâ‚‚ equivalent (tCOâ‚‚e).a

Approximately 100%of these emissions originated from upstream activities such as purchased goods and capital goods, while 0%came from downstream activities like product use, distribution, and end-of-life treatment.a

Has Norfolk Southern reduced its Scope 3 emissions over time?

Since 2019, Norfolk Southern's Scope 3 emissionshave decreased by 41.15%, reflecting a declining long-term trend in Scope 3 emissions over time.a

Compared to the previous year (2023), Norfolk Southern's Scope 3 emissions decreased by 11.29%, highlighting the company's efforts to lower indirect emissions from its value chain.ab

What categories of Scope 3 emissions does Norfolk Southern disclose?

In 2024, Norfolk Southern reported emissions for 8 out of the 15 Scope 3 categories defined by the GHG Protocol.a

This partial disclosure allows for some insight into the company's indirect impacts.

What are the main sources of Norfolk Southern's Scope 3 emissions?

In 2024, the largest contributors to Norfolk Southern's Scope 3 emissions were:a

  • Fuel- and Energy-Related Services (Cat. 3): 970,915 tCOâ‚‚e(54.75%)
  • Purchased Goods and Services (Cat. 1): 297,980 tCOâ‚‚e(16.8%)
  • Capital Goods (Cat. 2): 266,781 tCOâ‚‚e(15.04%)

Norfolk Southern's Scope 3 Emissions by Categories

Purchased Goods andServices (Cat. 1)(16.8%)Fuel- andEnergy-RelatedServices (Cat. 3)(54.7%)Capital Goods(Cat. 2)(15.0%)

Insights into Norfolk Southern’s GHG Emissions Intensity Compared to Industry Peers

In 2024, Norfolk Southern reported Scope 1 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of 4,054,131 tCOâ‚‚e and total revenues of USD 12,123 millions. This translates into an emissions intensity of 334.42 tCOâ‚‚e per millions USD.a

Norfolk Southern's Scope 1 Emissions Intensity Compared to Peers

2,00020,000500,0005,000,000100,000,000Scope 1 Emissions (tCO2e)5002,00010,00020,000100,000Revenues (Millions of USD)Waste Management IncYear: 2024Scope 1: 13,525,800 tCO2eRevenue: $M 22,063Scope 1 Intensity: 613.05 tCO2e/$MGreenbrier CompaniesYear: 2025Scope 1: 54,648 tCO2eRevenue: $M 3,240Scope 1 Intensity: 16.87 tCO2e/$MEmerson ElectricYear: 2024Scope 1: 64,976 tCO2eRevenue: $M 17,492Scope 1 Intensity: 3.71 tCO2e/$MCSXYear: 2023Scope 1: 4,239,321 tCO2eRevenue: $M 14,657Scope 1 Intensity: 289.24 tCO2e/$MUnion PacificYear: 2024Scope 1: 9,286,290 tCO2eRevenue: $M 24,250Scope 1 Intensity: 382.94 tCO2e/$MOtis WorldwideYear: 2024Scope 1: 120,275 tCO2eRevenue: $M 14,261Scope 1 Intensity: 8.43 tCO2e/$MParker-HannifinYear: 2024Scope 1: 128,862 tCO2eRevenue: $M 19,929Scope 1 Intensity: 6.47 tCO2e/$MCarrier GlobalYear: 2024Scope 1: 147,343 tCO2eRevenue: $M 22,486Scope 1 Intensity: 6.55 tCO2e/$M3MYear: 2024Scope 1: 1,500,000 tCO2eRevenue: $M 24,575Scope 1 Intensity: 61.04 tCO2e/$MTrinity IndustriesYear: 2024Scope 1: 53,054 tCO2eRevenue: $M 3,079Scope 1 Intensity: 17.23 tCO2e/$MRepublic ServicesYear: 2022Scope 1: 13,688,116 tCO2eRevenue: $M 13,511Scope 1 Intensity: 1,013.09 tCO2e/$MFerguson EnterprisesYear: 2025Scope 1: 164,926 tCO2eRevenue: $M 30,762Scope 1 Intensity: 5.36 tCO2e/$MTextronYear: 2024Scope 1: 230,896 tCO2eRevenue: $M 13,702Scope 1 Intensity: 16.85 tCO2e/$MRyder SystemYear: 2024Scope 1: 869,939 tCO2eRevenue: $M 12,708Scope 1 Intensity: 68.46 tCO2e/$MCH Robinson WorldwideYear: 2024Scope 1: 12,017 tCO2eRevenue: $M 17,724Scope 1 Intensity: 0.68 tCO2e/$MEMCOR GroupYear: 2024Scope 1: 182,567 tCO2eRevenue: $M 14,566Scope 1 Intensity: 12.53 tCO2e/$MSouthwest AirlinesYear: 2024Scope 1: 21,091,127 tCO2eRevenue: $M 27,483Scope 1 Intensity: 767.42 tCO2e/$ML3Harris TechnologiesYear: 2024Scope 1: 73,961 tCO2eRevenue: $M 21,325Scope 1 Intensity: 3.47 tCO2e/$MAramarkYear: 2024Scope 1: 40,498 tCO2eRevenue: $M 17,401Scope 1 Intensity: 2.33 tCO2e/$MBuilders FirstSourceYear: 2024Scope 1: 236,004 tCO2eRevenue: $M 16,401Scope 1 Intensity: 14.39 tCO2e/$MIllinois Tool WorksYear: 2024Scope 1: 129,526 tCO2eRevenue: $M 15,898Scope 1 Intensity: 8.15 tCO2e/$MCumminsYear: 2024Scope 1: 347,439 tCO2eRevenue: $M 34,102Scope 1 Intensity: 10.19 tCO2e/$MWabtecYear: 2023Scope 1: 131,344 tCO2eRevenue: $M 9,677Scope 1 Intensity: 13.57 tCO2e/$MGXO LogisticsYear: 2024Scope 1: 200,782 tCO2eRevenue: $M 11,709Scope 1 Intensity: 17.15 tCO2e/$MManpowerGroupYear: 2024Scope 1: 17,247 tCO2eRevenue: $M 17,854Scope 1 Intensity: 0.97 tCO2e/$MNorfolk SouthernYear: 2024Scope 1: 4,054,131 tCO2eRevenue: $M 12,123Scope 1 Intensity: 334.42 tCO2e/$M

How does Norfolk Southern's GHG emissions intensity compare to its peers?

In 2024, Norfolk Southern reported a Scope 1 emissions intensity of 334.42 tCOâ‚‚e per millions USD. Compared to the peer group median of 13.57, this places the company above its industry benchmark, indicating it is less carbon-efficient than most competitors.a

Where does Norfolk Southern rank on GHG emissions intensity within its industry?

In 2024, Norfolk Southern ranked 22 out of 25 companies in its industry peer group, based on Scope 1 emissions intensity (measured in tCOâ‚‚e per millions USD).a

This places Norfolk Southern among the least efficient performers, with one of the highest emissions intensities in its sector.a

Insights into Norfolk Southern's Total Carbon Footprint

In 2024, Norfolk Southern reported a total carbon footprint of 5,963,862 metric tons of COâ‚‚ equivalent (tCOâ‚‚e) across Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions. This represents a 4.47% decrease compared to 2023, indicating progress in reducing its overall greenhouse gas output.ab

The largest contributor to Norfolk Southern's total carbon footprint was Scope 1 emissions, accounting for 67.98% of the company's total carbon footprint, followed by Scope 3 emissions at 29.74%.a

Want Full Access to Norfolk Southern's GHG Emissions Dataset?
Sign Up