EcoConnexions Programs
Living our Environmental Values

Three Dynamic Stakeholder Programs

CN’s EcoConnexions programs encourage and support our environmental values and initiatives with key stakeholders, including employees, communities and customers.

EcoConnexions – Employee Engagement Program 

We launched our employee program in 2011 with the goal of empowering our employees to conserve energy, reduce waste and improve housekeeping at CN yards and offices. Through our $5-million CN EcoFund, we support our employees’ initiatives that drive environmental benefits through energy conservation and waste reduction, as well as social benefits through improved safety and employee engagement.

In 2021, CN partnered with Earth Rangers, a youth-focused environmental charity, to extend our engagement on environmental sustainability and making a difference to CN railroaders and their families.

Thanks to the success of the employee program, EcoConnexions has expanded to help CN communities and customers build a sustainable future.

Our EcoChampions in Action

Read how CN’s EcoChampions are advancing sustainability in our day-to-day operations.

EcoConnexions – Community Tree-Planting Programs

Since 2012, EcoConnexions has been supporting the greening of communities and First Nations along our network by planting trees and shrubs as well as re-establishing urban and rural forests. With our partners, Tree Canada and America in Bloom, we have been creating a living legacy of sustainability for current and future generations by supporting the value of trees.

In 2022, CN contributed $1.65 million through our partner Tree Canada and nearly $400,000 to America in Bloom to help improve air quality, support biodiversity, and create resilient and sustainable communities.

EcoConnexions – From the Ground Up Program

CN’s EcoConnexions From the Ground Up program provides grants to municipalities and organizations to promote the greening of communities situated along our rail lines. Since 2012, we have participated in 252 projects in Canada and 77 in the United States. In 2022, trees were planted in the following communities:

Urban Canopy Projects

CN is helping Canadian municipalities re-establish their urban tree canopies to help mitigate the “heat island” effect and help combat climate change. In 2022, CN supported the following projects:

• Winnipeg One Million Tree Challenge
• Montreal Urban Canopy
• Operation ReLeaf Fort McMurray

EcoConnexions – Partnership Program

CN’s EcoConnexions Partnership program celebrates our customers and supply chain partners working to reduce their emissions, increase energy efficiency, and drive sustainable business practices. Each year, we recognize our winners by planting trees in their honour.

In 2022, 58 customers and supply chain partners were recognized for their sustainability practices and 100,000 trees were planted as part of five reforestation projects in the following communities:

• Hanceville, BC
• Fort Whyte, MB
• Wolfe Island, ON
• Cormier Village, NB
• Little River State Forest, Alabama

Since 2014, in collaboration with Tree Canada, the EcoConnexions Partnership program has planted over 800,000 trees in Canada and the U.S..

Our Partners: