Retailers are well represented among the 68 new companies that are partnering with the White House to battle global warming. Leading companies signing on to the American Business Act on Climate Pledge include Best Buy, IKEA, Starbucks, L’Oréal, Target, Levi’s and Nike. Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, was one of the original 13 companies to participate in the initiative, as reported in Racked.
In total, 81 companies representing a wide range of industries have made the American Business Act on Climate Pledge. Together, they have operations in all 50 states, employ more than 9 million people and represent more than $3 trillion in annual revenue, according to the White House Fact Sheet.
The participating retail companies will be using a variety of methods to minimize their carbon footprints, cut waste and become “greener” in general. Their plans include:
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- Best Buy will reduce carbon emissions 45% by 2020 (using 2009 as baseline) from a combination of operational reductions and renewable sourcing;
- IKEA will produce as much renewable energy as the total energy its global operations consume by 2020. This balance has already been achieved in the U.S., in part due to a wind farm in Hoopeston, Ill.;
- Levi Strauss & Co will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% in its office, retail and distribution locations, and purchase a minimum of 20% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020;
- L’Oréal USA will reduce CO2 emissions at its plants and distribution centers by 60% (using 2005 as a baseline), reduce water consumption by 60% per finished product unit and source 100% renewable raw materials from sustainable sources by 2020;
- Nike will reach 100% renewable energy in its owned and operated facilities by 2025;
- Starbucks will build all its company-owned stores to LEED certification, and reduce energy and water use in these stores by 25% (using a 2008 baseline);
- Target will achieve Energy Star certification in 80% of buildings by 2020 and dramatically increase renewable energy production, in part by increasing the number of solar rooftop panels to 500 stores and DCs by 2020. These panels produce approximately one-third of the energy used by these buildings; and
- Walmart will drive production or procurement of seven billion kilowatt-hours of renewable energy globally by 2020, which would represent a 600% + increase over a 2010 baseline. It also plans to double the number of on-site solar energy projects at its U.S. stores, Sam’s Clubs and DCs by 2020 (using a 2013 baseline).
