CN recognized as a world leader for corporate action on climate change

MONTREAL, Oct. 20, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - CN (TSX: CNR) (NYSE: CNI) has been awarded a position on The A List: The CDP Climate Performance Leadership Index 2014 in recognition of its action to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate the business risks of climate change.

The index presents 187 listed companies identified as demonstrating a superior approach to climate change mitigation. It has been produced by CDP, the international non-governmental organization that drives sustainable economies, at the request of 767 investors who represent more than a third of the world's invested capital. Information provided by nearly 2,000 listed companies has been independently assessed against CDP's widely-respected scoring methodology and ranked accordingly.

Claude Mongeau, president and chief executive officer, said: "CN is proud to be recognized by the CDP for its leadership on climate change mitigation.  We continue to improve operational efficiency, conduct employee training and invest in fuel-efficient locomotives and other processes and technologies to reduce carbon emissions.  We have also extended our sustainability strategy to our non-rail fleets and buildings and yard operations.

"Our employees are integral to our ability to reduce energy consumption.  Through our EcoConnexions program, we are working to give employees the tools and techniques to change energy habits, and consider low-carbon energy options when making decisions."

This marks the sixth consecutive year that CN has earned a position of leadership for its climate performance by CDP, the world's only global environmental disclosure system.

Climate performance leaders of The A List index on which CN has been placed are investing to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and collectively have reduced their total (absolute) emissions by 33 million metric tons in the past reporting year, whilst also achieving impressive financial results. In this way, the leaders illustrate that a low carbon future does not mean poor financial performance.    

CDP performance scores provide a tool for institutional investors and stakeholders to evaluate and track corporate efforts destined to mitigate the risks of climate change. Scores are communicated to investors and other decision makers through various channels to help them assess corporate preparedness for changing market demands and emissions regulation.

Paul Simpson, chief executive officer of CDP, said: "Global greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise and we face steep financial risk if we do not mitigate them. The business case for action to mitigate climate change has never been stronger or more urgent. For this reason we congratulate those businesses that have achieved a position on The A List: The CDP Climate Performance Leadership Index. These companies are responding to market demand for environmental accountability and at the same time are making progress towards the realization of sustainable economies."

The A List: CDP Climate Performance Leadership Index 2014, along with the climate disclosures of all companies publicly taking part in CDP's climate change program this year, is available on CDP's website.

About CDP
CDP is an international, not-for-profit organization providing the only global system for companies and cities to measure, disclose, manage and share vital environmental information. CDP works with market forces, including 767 institutional investors with assets of US$92 trillion, to motivate companies to disclose their impacts on the environment and natural resources and take action to reduce them. CDP now holds the largest collection globally of primary climate-change, water and forest risk commodities information and puts these insights at the heart of strategic business, investment and policy decisions.  Please visit www.cdp.net or follow it @CDP to find out more.

About CN
CN is a true backbone of the economy, transporting approximately C$250 billion worth of goods annually for a wide range of business sectors, ranging from resource products to manufactured products to consumer goods, across a rail network spanning Canada and mid-America, from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to the Gulf of Mexico. CN – Canadian National Railway Company, along with its operating railway subsidiaries -- serves the ports of Vancouver, Prince Rupert, B.C., Montreal, Halifax, New Orleans, and Mobile, Ala., and the metropolitan areas of Toronto, Chicago, Detroit, Duluth, Minn./Superior, Wis., Green Bay, Wis., Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, and Jackson, Miss., with connections to all points in North America. For more information on CN, visit the company's website at www.cn.ca.

SOURCE: CN

Contacts: Media: Mark Hallman, Director, Communications & Public Affairs, [phone]; Investment Community: Janet Drysdale, Vice-President, Investor Relations, [phone]