Environment

Union Pacific Dedicated to Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Jun 28, 2013 1:20 PM ET
Campaign: Union Pacific Sustainability & Citizenship: Business Decisions for the Long-term
The Genset switcher reduces emissions of oxides of nitrogen by 80 percent and particulate matter by 90 percent. It also uses up to 37 percent less fuel compared to older switching locomotives. This fuel savings translates into a GHG reduction of up to 37 percent.

Locomotives account for nearly all of Union Pacific's Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emssions.

Since 2000, operational and technological improvements have resulted in a 19 percent improvement in fuel efficiency, the equivalent of more than one and a half years’ worth of fuel used by our company (1.73 billion gallons). The efficiency gains saved nearly 18 million metric tons of GHG emissions, the annual equivalent of GHG emissions from more than 3.7 million passenger vehicles.

During 2012, customers reduced an estimated 33.5 million metric tons of GHG emissions by choosing Union Pacific over other transportation for their shipping needs. This is equivalent to eliminating the GHG emissions of nearly 7 million passenger cars each year.

Although Union Pacific's top priority is the efficiency of locomotives, it's also addressing emissions in areas beyond that, which represent less than 10 percent of the company’s total GHG emissions. In 2012 the company:

  • Implemented recommendations from the Environmental Defense Fund Climate Corps, whose work in 2012 focused on improving air compressor management and turning off lights in soda machines in field locations. Based on the Climate Corps suggestions, Union Pacific added a position solely focused on utility energy efficiency opportunities.
  • Added 10 electric vehicles to test their viability in Union Pacific’s locomotive shop operating environments. The Climate Corps program also included pursuing a pilot to convert a vehicle to Compressed Natural Gas.
  • Completed 15 energy-reducing projects focused primarily on lighting upgrades. We estimate these projects will reduce emissions by 1.5 million kilowatt hours a year, equivalent to the amount of energy consumed by 132 homes in a year.
  • Developed initiatives to reduce fuel consumption in vehicles, including the addition of “telematics” in more than 400 vehicles. With telematics, a telecommunications device transmits real-time information to promote safe and fuel-efficient driving habits.
  • Upgraded nearly 1,300 refrigerated cars to reduce diesel particulate matter emissions. Union Pacific has upgraded more than 4,700 refrigerated cars in the last five years.