Minneapolis-headquartered US retailer Target announced this week that it has committed to sourcing 100% of its electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030, building on the foundations of the company’s climate policy launched in 2017.
Target, the eighth largest retailer in the United States according to Stores, the magazine of the country’s National Retail Federation, announced this week that it was committing to source 100% of its electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030, a goal which will apply to all of the company’s domestic operations, including stores, distribution centers, and offices.
“At Target, we’ve been on a multi-year journey to operate our facilities more sustainably, and setting this ambitious goal is an important milestone,” said John Leisen, vice president, property management, Target. “We’re proud of the work we’ve already done with renewable energy in our stores, and we’ll continue to explore more opportunities and partnerships to realize this goal.”
The move builds on the foundation set by the company’s 2017 climate goals which, in addition to an un-dated 100% renewable electricity target, included reductions to the company’s Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions (25% below 2015 levels by 2025) and efforts to reduce the company’s Scope 3 emissions as well. Their climate policies also underwent an update earlier this year.
“Target has long been committed to making our business more sustainable, which leads to a stronger, cleaner supply chain and operations, and a healthier environment for our team members and guests,” said Brian Cornell, chairman and CEO, Target, in October of 2017. “That’s why we’re setting goals to reduce our greenhouse gas footprint, and working with our industry partners, policymakers and other stakeholders to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy.”
Target’s new policy is also built around its current checkpoint of achieving 60% electricity from renewable energy sources by 2025. To further its goals, however, Target has promised to invest in local renewable energy projects and sign Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), including two PPAs signed and announced this week, the 79.4 megawatt (MW) Lone Tree Wind Project in Illinois, being developed by Leeward Renewable Energy, and the 200 MW Sand Fork Solar project in Texas being developed by ENGIE, from which Target will secure 89 MW.
“We truly value the opportunity to support Target in its commitment to source electricity from renewables,” said Gwenaelle Avice-Huet, CEO of ENGIE North America. “By serving Target with the Sand Fork Project, we’re proud to help shape a sustainable future for customers and communities and reinforce our ambition to lead the zero-carbon transition.”
“We are pleased that Target has selected Leeward as a renewable energy partner,” added Greg Wolf, Leeward Renewable Energy CEO. “We welcome the opportunity to work with a forward-looking company that is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and creating sustainable operations.”
Together, the two PPAs will provide Target with electricity equivalent to supplying 280 of its stores annually, and amounts to approximately 556,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) per year.
Target has also made recent upgrades to its facilities, such as being well on its way to installing rooftop solar panels at 500 of its locations by 2020, and adding electric vehicle charging stations at over 100 company sites.
