TxN 20 Highlights — Transportation
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2022 TxN 20: Texan-led leadership in conservation for a sustainable future in Transportation.
The Texan by Nature team is excited to present the fourth annual list of Texan by Nature 20 (TxN 20) Honorees. TxN 20 recognizes outstanding work in conservation and sustainability from Texas-based businesses.
It’s an opportunity to showcase innovation, commitment to conservation, and best practices from the industries that keep Texas running: Agriculture, Architecture, Financial Services, Food, Beverage, & Grocery, Technology, Energy, Healthcare, Municipal Services, Retail, Transportation, and Construction & Manufacturing.
Meet the 2022 TxN 20 Honorees leading sustainability in transportation: Cap Metro and DFW Airport.
12 electric buses purchased in 2021— 2022 Honoree Cap Metro
Who is Cap Metro?
Cap Metro is Austin’s regional public transportation provider. CapMetro connects people, jobs and communities by providing quality transportation choices to Central Texas. Created in accordance with Chapter 451 of the Texas Transportation Code, CapMetro was established by a voter referendum on Jan. 19, 1985. The agency is funded in part by a 1 percent sales tax levied by members of its service area.
How are they setting the standard?
In the social sector, Cap Metro partnered with H-E-B, Central Texas Food Bank to deploy Help-at-Home kits to elderly and disabled citizens across Austin, dedicating 300-400 service hours a week to the Help-at-Home Kits program.
CapMetro used its resources to help provide meals to the hungry in our regions, providing access to basic food necessities without the risks of COVID.
CapMetro uses 97% renewable energy purchased from Texas wind farms totaling around 8.7 million kilowatt hours of energy. With 12 new electric buses purchased in 2021, CapMetro will increase to 200 electric buses by 2026 to reduce its overall fleet greenhouse gas emissions. 100% of CapMetro’s electricity from Austin Energy is renewable (wind and solar) Green Choice electricity.
Powered by 100% renewable electricity from Texas wind farms — 2022 Honoree DFW Airport
Who is DFW Airport?
Today, Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) Airport warmly welcomes more than 73 million customers along their journey every year, elevating DFW to a status as one of the most frequently visited super-hub airports in the world. Centered between its owner cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, DFW Airport also serves as a major economic generator for the North Texas region, producing over $37 billion in economic impact each year by connecting people through business and leisure travel.
How are they setting the standard?
2,000 DFW employees work to advance ESG initiatives, forming strategic partnerships with several prominent external entities, including the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Coca-Cola, Nestle, the University of North Texas, Avfuel Corporation, and the Dallas Fort Worth Clean Cities Coalition, to advance innovative approaches to sustainability. Additionally, DFW is powered by 100% renewable electricity from Texas wind farms, directly benefiting local economies. As a result, since 2010, the Texas electric grid (ERCOT) has increased from 8% renewables to over 20%. Waste collected from DFW’s food waste program is transported to local farms and compost facilities, resulting in 9 tons of food waste diverted from landfills since 2021.
15 concessionaires from two terminals have been onboarded to the composting program, and the Airport anticipates expanding the program to additional concessions locations in the coming months.
Why Forward Thinking Leaders in Transportation Matter
According to the EPA, the Transportation sector contributes more to overall U.S. greenhouse gas emissions than any other sector, producing 27% of global emissions in 2020. Since bringing down emissions and getting from point A to point B are musts in the modern world, innovation in transportation is critical to keep a prosperous economy and protect the environment. Sustainability leaders like CapMetro and DFW Airport are keeping the world connected and protected.
How TxN20 Honorees Are Selected Each Year
To select the 2022 TxN 20 Honorees, the TxN Team evaluated submissions and conducted independent research across 2,000+ of Texas’ publicly traded and private companies in 12 key industry sectors.
All companies were evaluated on a 17-point scoring system, from which the top 60 highest-scoring companies moved on to the final round of TxN 20. A selection committee of top industry leaders and experts was then formed to evaluate the top 60 companies and select the final 20 businesses recognized as TxN 20 Honorees.
Honorable Mentions: Standouts in Sustainability
In addition to this year’s TxN 20 honorees, here are three industry standouts for best practices in conservation and sustainability coming from companies across the agriculture industry.
Industry Innovator: Kirby Corporation
The Houston-based Kirby Corporation operates as the premier tank barge operator in the United States, transporting bulk liquid products throughout all three U.S. Coasts and more. In 2020, they transported 423.4 million barrels of cargo without a spill in the water. Additionally, by 2024, they estimate a 25% reduction of marine CO2 emissions per barrel of capacity.
Industry Innovator: Union Pacific
The Omaha-based Union Pacific delivers integral goods to families and businesses every day with efficiency and reliability. In 2021, they introduced Genset and Green Goat locomotives for service in California, Texas and Chicago, with fuel-savings of more than 20% compared to other diesel locomotives in similar use. Additionally, PSR efforts allowed them to reduce the size of their locomotive fleet, effectively retiring their least-efficient units.
Industry Innovator: XPO Logistics
The Greenwich-based XPO Logistics is a top ten global provider of transportation and logistic services. In 2021, they launched a new rail freight service in partnership with Irish Rail to provide a greener, more efficient path to transport goods between Western and Southeast Ireland. Additionally, in European locations, they have installed intelligent LED lighting in 14 more locations, in total covering 55% of their square footage.
Get Involved:
Is your company at the forefront of sustainability in Texas? Share your work with Texan by Nature by submitting Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) data that showcases how your company benefits people, prosperity, and natural resources to programs@texanbynature.org.
To be considered for the official TxN 20 list, companies must:
- Have operations and employees based in Texas;
- Share a demonstrated commitment to conservation & sustainability;
- Showcase tangible efforts, impact, and data in conservation;
- NOT be a conservation-based nonprofit (501c3).