Energy Management Articles
A perspective on weather, the grid, and bringing resilience to your energy approach
Energy managers face added uncertainty in an era of more frequent and extreme weather events. Last February, Winter Storm Uri reinforced that idea and the importance of bringing resilience and stability into every company's energy approach. Here's a perspective from NRG on the storm itself and on moving forward.
U.K. Sets New Emissions Target: 78% Decrease by 2035
The U.K. government has announced the most ambitious emissions target in the world: eliminating 78% of the nation’s GHG emissions (compared to 1990 levels) by 2035.
Sustainability = Savings at Lefarge’s Winnipeg Cement Terminal
Due to its low-carbon practices, concrete company Lefarge’s Winnipeg location has not seen costs rise - even though Canada’s Federal Carbon Tax is steadily increasing.
Microgrid Brings Reliable Power to Connecticut’s Daughters of Mary Campus
More reliable, efficient power and restoration after storms are on the way for the Daughters of Mary of the Immaculate Conception campus in New Britain, Connecticut. An advanced microgrid system is under construction to bring renewable electricity to four campus buildings.
L'Oréal Paris to Reduce Carbon Footprint 50%, Fund €10M for the Environment
L'Oréal Paris announced that it will reduce its carbon footprint 50% by 2030. The cosmetic company will also contribute 10 million Euros to environmental projects that will benefit women around the world.
Wendy’s First GHG Inventory Shows Reduced Emissions
Wendy’s has completed its first GHG inventory, which reveals a 6.3% decrease in Scope 1 and 2 emissions since 2019. The report’s findings will help Wendy’s to create SBTi-aligned targets and a roadmap towards further reductions.
Siemens Energy’s CO2 Reduction Targets Verified by SBTi
Siemens Energy announced that the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) had verified the company's CO2 reduction targets, confirming that the company's goals comply with the Paris Agreement.
HNI Reaches Emissions Goal, Plans Next Target
Having far exceeded its 2025 goal of 35% Scope 1 and 2 emissions reduction, HNI Corporation now plans to eliminate 40% of its Scope 3 GHG emissions and 50% of its energy intensity by 2035 (compared to 2018 levels).
Merck Plans Carbon Neutrality in Operations by 2025, Signs Three VPPAs
Medical company Merck (also known as MSD) has announced its new environmental goals: to eliminate Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions from its operations by 2025 and reduce 30% of its Scope 3 value chain emissions by 2030. This pledge also accelerates its original goal - to use 100% renewable energy by 2040 - by 15 years.
Yum! Brands to Serve GHG Emissions Decrease of Nearly 50 % by 2030
Yum! Brands, the parent company of KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and The Habit Burger Grill restaurants, announced on April 26 that it will decrease GHG emissions 46% by 2030.
Massachusetts Pledges $1 Million to Electrify Vehicle Fleets
The Baker-Polito Administration has announced a new program for Massachusetts fleet managers that will offer up to $1 million in funding for medium- and heavy-duty (MHD) electric vehicle fleets. Funding available through this program will help fleet managers procure both technical services for fleet electrification and Massachusetts Offers Rebates for Electric Vehicles (MOR-EV) Truck Program incentives.
Honda aims for all-EVs by 2040, carbon neutrality by 2050
Honda announced on April 23 that battery-electric and fuel cell electric vehicles will comprise 100% of its vehicle sales by 2040. Further, the company is formalizing a goal to reach carbon neutrality for all products and corporate activities by 2050.
Weekend Reads: Google's RE-Powered Data Center in an Old Coal Plant; Using Efficiency For Net-Zero Targets
It's the weekend! Kick back and catch up with these must-read articles from around the web.
Goldman Sachs 2020 Sustainability Report
With the release of the Goldman Sachs 2020 Sustainability Report, "The Future, NOW: Integrating Sustainability with Purpose across Our Business," the company reports on how they have integrated and elevated sustainability efforts across the firm - including $156 billion in sustainable finance activity during 2020.
Smart Energy Voices Podcast - Episode 32: Intel 2030
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla speaks with Marty Sedler, Director of Global Utilities & Infrastructure of Intel Corporation. Marty has been in the utility industry for approximately 40 years and has worked with Intel for more than 20 years. He was the opening keynote speaker from Smart Energy Decisions’ recent Innovation Summit where he shared Intel’s 2030 goals for energy savings, alternative energy, and emissions reductions. Intel has a global scope and is constantly working on new technologies and solutions for renewable energy. Listen to learn about Intel’s goals for 2030.
Travelers Commits to Carbon Neutrality by 2030
The Travelers Companies, Inc. has pledged to achieve net-zero emissions across its owned operations by 2030. Aligned with the Paris Climate Agreement, this goal will lower current CO2 emissions by 50,000 metric tons annually.
Williams-Sonoma Commits to Carbon Neutrality by 2025
Williams-Sonoma announced April 22 that it is committed to being carbon neutral in its own operations by 2025 and cutting emissions across its value chain by 2030.
Russell Investments Will Manage a Net-Zero Global Portfolio by 2050
Russell Investments announced a commitment to ensuring net zero emissions within its global investment portfolios by 2050.
Southwest Airlines and Phillips 66 Partner on SAF Development
Southwest Airlines is teaming up with Phillips 66 to support the development and commercialization of sustainable aviation fuel.
Disney World Approaches 40% Renewable Electricity
Disney World announced that it plans to develop two solar farms near Orlando, Florida. Combined with its two current solar farms, these installments will help the park rely on clean energy for 40% of its electricity needs.
Franklin Templeton Releases CSR Report, Launches Environmental Committee
Franklin Templeton’s plans for 2021 include expanding Scope 3 emissions reporting, setting emissions targets, and creating an Environmental Committee to improve the company’s current sustainability initiatives. These plans were detailed in the company's recently released Corporate Social Responsibility Report.
Hilton Shows Progress in Its 2020 ESG Report
Hilton’s 2020 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report revealed that the hotel brand is steadily working towards their 2030 SBTi goals to reduce Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions from Hilton-managed hotels by 61%, and emissions from franchisees by 52%.
Flex Commits to Halve Operational Emissions by 2030
As it joins SBTi, manufacturing giant Flex has pledged to eliminate 50% of its absolute scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
WOW! Announces Energy-Efficient Products and Practices
WOW! Internet, Cable & Phone, a leading broadband services provider, has announced new initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint.
Detroit Developer Bedrock Commits to Solar Energy
Real estate developer Bedrock has announced that by 2023, it will use clean energy to lower its annual carbon footprint by nearly 15,500 metric tons. To accomplish this goal, the Detroit-based company has partnered with DTE Energy through its MIGreenPower renewable energy program. DTE’s solar farms will provide Bedrock with nearly 22 million kWh of clean energy annually.
L'Oréal Paris to Reduce Carbon Footprint 50% by 2030
L'Oréal Paris cosmetics company announced on April 22 that it will reduce its carbon footprint by 50% by 2030. The company will also contribute 10 million Euros to environmental projects that will benefit women around the world.
President Biden Targets 50% GHG Emissions Reduction by 2030
Building on his goal for the U.S. to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, President Biden has set a new GHG emissions target for the United States: 50% economy-wide reduction from 2005 levels by 2030.
Kohl’s Reaches 2025 Energy Efficiency and Emissions Goals - 4 Years Early
Kohl’s announced on April 22 that it has already achieved or exceeded its 2025 energy use and emissions targets. These goals included lowering Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions from Kohl’s-owned operations by 50% (compared to 2014) and reducing its facilities’ energy consumption by 30% (compared to 2008).
Cisco Foundation to Fight Climate Change With $100 Million
The Cisco Foundation will invest $100 million over ten years to fund nonprofit grants and solutions that fight the growing climate crisis. The Foundation's endowment, funded by Cisco, will help reverse the impact of climate change and set ambitious goals to power a more sustainable future.
Baltimore County Landfills to Generate Solar Energy
When two closed Baltimore County landfill sites are covered with solar arrays, the sun will generate 30 MW of power, one-third of the energy used by the County's municipal and government facilities. These solar parks will help the County meet its sustainability goals, save money on electricity, and power government buildings.
