Union Pacific

Environmental Management, Governance and Compliance

Ensuring that our network is achieving the highest possible levels of environmental performance requires sophisticated systems and programs. Learn more about how Union Pacific manages our environmental policy to ensure that we are reducing our impact on the environment and remaining compliant with all regulations and laws.

Climate Change and Risk Factors

Union Pacific is committed to being part of the solution to climate change challenges and considers risks associated with climate change in our regular activities.

This isn’t just because we care about being good stewards of the land – it’s also good business to limit our exposure to the risks of climate change. We believe that any long-term approach to the climate change challenge must include measures that ensure a reduced carbon footprint as well as economic growth and prosperity. Our trains are part of this solution by providing a fuel-efficient, lower-emissions way to ship goods to market and connect buyers and sellers.

We are taking concrete actions today to strengthen our railroad’s ability to withstand future changes and events that might be associated with climate change. It is possible that future legislative and regulatory action on climate change could affect our operations and financial performance (see the risk factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K). However, we are currently unable to predict such impact. We continuously explore new ways to increase our fuel efficiency and reduce our fuel consumption rate by constantly working to develop innovative locomotive technology, strengthen engineer training and implement employee development with an eye toward conservation.

Environmental Collaboration

When it comes to protecting the environment and improving environmental sustainability, Union Pacific can’t do it alone. We rely on strong relationships with a range of public and private-sector partners to design and implement practices that reduce the impact of our operations on the environment.

In 2011, Union Pacific expanded efforts with the Global Environmental Management Initiative and the Environmental Defense Fund’s Climate Corps program. Find out more about these and other important collaborative efforts.