Target sets sustainability benchmark in Canada

Sales at Target stores in Canada have been a little uneven since the company entered the market earlier this year, but at least the company can point to an unrivaled environmental accomplishment.

All Target stores in Canada are now LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certified, a first for a major retailer in Canada. By year end, Target expects to have 124 stores open in Canada and all are expected to have the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED certification. The retailer is taking advantage of the USGBC’s Volume Program which streamlines the certification process for buildings in both Canada and the U.S.

"Environmental sustainability at Target is fundamental to our business, and we have been working hard in Canada over the past few years to open our most sustainable collection of stores to date," said Derek Jenkins, SVP of external relations for Target Canada. "We are confident that all 124 store locations opening this year will be awarded LEED certification, making Target a leader among Canadian mass retailers when it comes to having sustainable store buildings."

In order to obtain certification, remaining Target stores will undergo various rounds of audits throughout 2013, which must meet stringent criteria across five LEED categories including: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.