Lowe’s meets sustainability goals early

Lowe's Companies Inc. reached an important greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) milestone four years ahead of schedule.

The home improvement giant has published its 2021 Corporate Responsibility report, detailing the company's goals and progress in three key areas: people and communities, product sustainability, and operations.

Highlights of Lowe's 2021 Corporate Responsibility report include:

• Achieving a 2025 goal of reducing Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 40% – four years early in 2021 – with a reduction of 42% over the past five years.
• Investing $10 million and completed 100 community impact projects through the 100 Hometowns initiative, which helped communities rebuild from natural disasters, repair critical housing, restore community centers, and revive green spaces.
• Assisted more than 1.8 million people through the Lowe's-led, nationwide Generation T movement, promoting the benefits of skilled trades careers through online education, in-person events and virtual learning opportunities.
• Delivered future water and energy bill savings of $17.7 billion to Lowe's customers who purchased the company's Energy Star and WaterSense products in 2021. The company is also developing buying guides to embed sustainability criteria into product decisions.
• Provided more than $4.5 million in assistance to 3,140 Lowe's associates as part of the Lowe's Employee Relief Fund, funded by associates and matched dollar-for-dollar by Lowe's.
• Distributed more than $740 million in bonuses to frontline associates.

Lowe's says in the next 100 years, the company will continue to address key issues facing people and the planet, including by setting a science-based net-zero target by the end of 2022 that will include near and long-term GHG emissions reduction goals for its full value chain.

Lowe’s offers new educational program to associates
Lowe’s is also making it easier for full- and part-time associates to continue their education. The retailer is partnering with upskilling technology platform Guild to offer a new benefit that gives over 300,000 eligible full-time and part-time associates access to 100% debt-free programs. 

The free programs are designed to help associates build careers within Lowe's, including areas of study such as supply chain, logistics, data analytics, cybersecurity, and technology.

Lowe's new education program offers debt-free tuition assistance to associates seeking to earn undergraduate certificates or degrees, or enroll in English language learning, high school completion or college prep programs. Programs include flexible classes that fit different schedules, fully covered textbooks and course fees, and one-on-one support from Guild coaches.

"As our 100th year in business, 2021 was a milestone year for Lowe's. We hit our 2025 greenhouse gas reduction goal four years early and accelerated our efforts to reduce those emissions – while positively impacting our associates and communities through the Lowe's Employee Relief Fund and initiatives like 100 Hometowns. We're looking forward to the next 100 years of making a difference in the communities where we live and work," said Chris Cassell, Lowe's vice president of corporate sustainability.

Based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe's and its related businesses operate or service more than 2,200 home improvement and hardware stores.