Kohl's strengthens sustainable commitment

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. Kohl’s Department Stores reported that it became the first retailer to announce a commitment to reach net zero U.S. greenhouse gas emissions as part of its ongoing partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Climate Leaders program.

“Kohl’s is committed to the communities we serve, which includes taking significant steps to reduce our environmental footprint. We want to demonstrate that it is possible for a large company to have a successful business model and operate in a sustainable way,” said Ken Bonning, Kohl’s EVP store planning and logistics. “We’re pleased to be working with the U.S. EPA’s Climate Leaders program on this important greenhouse gas reduction initiative. By pledging to neutralize our carbon footprint, we are taking significant steps to ensure that our operations are environmentally responsible – from waste reduction to our energy programs to our building standards.”

In 2007, Kohl’s joined EPA Climate Leaders, a group of companies committed to reducing their impact on the global environment by analyzing and reporting aggressive greenhouse gas reduction goals. Kohl’s is using 2007 as its baseline reporting year and a 714,395 metric ton carbon dioxide equivalent as its starting point. The company has committed to achieving net zero emissions by the end of 2010 and maintaining carbon neutrality through 2012, at which point the company will work with EPA on continued goal setting.