Commercial, Energy Efficiency, GHG Emissions  -  July 9, 2018

Comerica sets new GHG reduction goals

After achieving both first and second generation GHG reduction goals, of 15% and 20%, respectively, Comerica Inc. announced a new set of GHG reduction goals along with the release of their 2017 Corporate Responsibility Progress Report.

In a statement, Scott Beckerman, Comerica's director of corporate sustainability, said, "Comerica is excited to announce our latest GHG reduction goals which will take us to zero emissions by 2050." He continued, "The new GHG reductions include a 50 percent reduction by 2025, 65 percent by 2030, and 100 percent by 2050 (all referenced to a baseline of 2012)."

The report explained, "The majority of our direct GHG emissions result from energy used to operate our buildings, so minimizing our GHG emissions footprint depends upon reducing energy consumption. Efficiently managing our energy use is important to the bottom line as energy is one of Comerica's larger corporate operating expenses." In 2017, Comerica decreased its direct and indirect energy consumption by 8,074 MWh, or 6.4 percent, compared to 2016. The reductions were primarily a result of energy efficiency projects, which included the installation of new building management system (BMS) controls, new smart thermostats at nearly all locations where Comerica is responsible for utilities, as well as new LED lighting at 28 facilities. Additional energy reductions were also a result of reducing occupied square footage from the Comerica real estate portfolio.

The report noted that the new goals will be reached through activities such as improving the efficiency of their buildings, leveraging technology, the greening of the electric grid and potential deployment of renewable energy over the longer term. Further, the report said, "As with our previous generation GHG reduction goals, the GHG emissions covered by our new goals are our Scope 1 and 2 real estate-based emissions."