The U.S. Department of Energy has recognized Whole Foods Market for achieving its energy savings goal as a partner in the Better Buildings Challenge. Whole Foods has improved energy performance by 21 percent from a 2010 baseline, achieving its Challenge goal two years ahead of schedule by implementing a wide range of retrofit projects and an energy awareness program for store operations.
Whole Foods is one of the market leaders partnering with DOE, and the only grocery retailer to set portfolio-wide energy savings goals and share its efficiency strategies on the Better Buildings Solution Center. To date, Better Buildings partners have saved more than $15 billion in energy costs, resulting in more than 150 million metric tons of avoided carbon emissions.
“Congratulations to our 2022 Better Buildings Goal Achievers for reaching their ambitious energy savings goals,” said Kelly Speakes-Backman, principal deputy assistant secretary for energy efficiency and renewable energy, U.S. Department of Energy, in a statement. “By saving energy and sharing their proven real-world solutions, these partners are leading the charge toward a clean energy economy while helping other organizations learn from their success.”
Whole Foods improved energy efficiency across 12.3 million square feet of its building portfolio. The company has been a leading adopter of low-Global Warming Potential refrigeration technologies, piloting several unique system designs. As of 2021, the company also has 70 stores and facilities supplementing traditional supply with power from rooftop solar installations. As a Better Buildings Challenge Partner, Whole Foods Market has employed sub-metering and monitoring tools to measure, analyze, and publicly share the performance of newly designed and replicated energy efficiency and climate protection initiatives in new and retrofitted stores. The company also works with manufacturers, trade allies, industry peers, the Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, and other organizations to further its energy efficiency goals.
“At Whole Foods Market our mission is to Nourish People and the Planet and we strive to fulfill this mission in all aspects of our business, including the design and operation of our stores,” said Caitlin Leibert, VP of corporate social responsibility at Whole Foods Market, in a statement. “We’re encouraged by the progress we’ve made thus far and are committed to continuing this very important work with the U.S. Department of Energy and stakeholders across the industry to help raise the bar for energy efficiency and environmental stewardship.”
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