Union Pacific Celebrates Sustainability Excellence with 2025 Partner Awards

On November 6, 2025, Union Pacific Railroad proudly announced the recipients of its 2025 Sustainability Partner Awards, honoring 16 standout customers and suppliers for their dedication to advancing environmental stewardship and sustainable business practices. Now in its third year, this prestigious award program emphasizes the critical role of innovation, collaboration, and leadership in achieving ambitious sustainability goals.

Kenny Rocker, Union Pacific's Executive Vice President of Marketing and Sales, expressed the company's pride in its partnerships, stating, “Union Pacific is proud to stand side by side with our customers and suppliers, working together to find environmentally responsible ways to move freight. By aligning our efforts, we’re building a stronger supply chain and driving better long-term outcomes for communities across America.”

Union Pacific highlighted that rail remains the most sustainable mode of freight transportation over land. A single intermodal train has the potential to eliminate approximately 500 trucks from the nation’s congested highways. Furthermore, it utilizes only one gallon of fuel to transport a ton of freight over a distance of 500 miles, showcasing the efficiency and environmental benefits of rail transport.

The Sustainability Partner Awards were open to all of Union Pacific’s customers and suppliers, with winners selected based on their sustainability efforts. Key considerations included the implementation of innovative business practices aimed at reducing environmental impact and the effectiveness of collaboration with stakeholders, including communities and business partners.

The award ceremony took place at Lauritzen Gardens in Omaha, Nebraska, where winners were recognized for their significant contributions to sustainability. The list of honored companies includes:

At the awards ceremony, recipients had the opportunity to showcase their sustainability initiatives and ongoing projects, further emphasizing the importance of collective efforts in fostering an environmentally responsible supply chain.

Union Pacific encourages companies interested in participating in next year’s Sustainability Partner Awards to reach out to their sales or supply representatives. This initiative underlines the railroad’s commitment to promoting sustainable practices across the industry and its dedication to protecting future generations through responsible freight transportation.

As Union Pacific continues to lead in sustainable logistics, the recognition of these partners serves as a testament to the collective effort needed to achieve a greener future in freight transportation.