Home Depot store energy consumption down 12% in 2019; sets renewable energy goal
The Home Depot has detailed progress on its 2019 corporate responsibility strategies while setting several new goals.
The new goals include a commitment to produce and procure energy from 335 megawatts of renewable and alternative energy projects by 2025 – equivalent to the amount of energy it takes to power more than 90,000 homes. The company plans to nearly double the number of stores with on-site solar panels and continue to leverage on-site fuel cells and offsite wind and solar energy.
As part of its existing pledge to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 50% by 2035, The Home Depot reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 10% in 2019, driven primarily by energy reductions and supply chain efficiencies. The company reduced its electricity consumption in U.S. stores by 383 million kilowatt-hours, tripling its 2018 reduction while at the same time adding three new U.S. stores to its footprint.
The Home Depot’s energy-saving progress in 2019 was led by the rolling installation of LED lighting across its U.S. stores. About 60% of its U.S. stores had LED lighting installed by the end of 2019, and the upgrades continue. Overall, U.S. store energy consumption dropped 12% last year.
Additionally, the company pledged to eliminate expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film from its private brand packaging by 2023.
The Home Depot's corporate responsibility strategy is centered on three key pillars: focusing on people, operating sustainably, strengthening communities.
"We believe our commitment to continuing progress on environmental, social and governance issues has made our company stronger, had a lasting positive impact on the environment, deepened our relationships with associates and customers, and created long-term shareholder value," said Craig Menear, chairman, CEO and president of The Home Depot.
For more information on The Home Depot's commitment to environmental, social, and governance issues, please view the 2020 Responsibility Report on The Home Depot's corporate newsroom, Built from Scratch.