Kohl’s Achieves U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Challenge

Kohl’s surpasses its goal of 20 percent energy reduction and sets its sights higher with a new goal to further cut energy consumption.

At Kohl’s, we realize the power we have to make a significant impact on energy efficiency with the right energy solutions in place. Through our award-winning energy management programs, we’re furthering our overall commitment to family health and wellness with sustainable solutions for a healthy future. As part of this effort, Kohl’s is an ongoing partner of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Better Buildings Challenge. We are proud to have surpassed our goal of 20 percent energy reduction at the end of 2018 by achieving a total of 24 percent reduction across more than 110 million square feet of our building portfolio, based off our 2008 baseline. This achievement has strengthened Kohl’s energy efficiency and sustainability efforts, and we have now set our sights higher with a new goal to cut an additional 15 percent on top of the 20 percent already realized.

The Better Buildings Challenge is a DOE program that works with more than 350 partners to drive the acceleration of cost-effective and proven strategies to improve the energy efficiency of the nation’s buildings, plants, and homes.

“We’re thrilled to be recognized as a Better Buildings Challenge Achiever,” said Steve Thomas, Kohl’s chief risk and compliance officer. “Kohl’s has significant power to positively impact our customers and the operations of our business through energy solutions. This is one of many Kohl’s sustainability efforts which we’re seeing leave a smaller footprint on our world today.”

Kohl’s energy reductions were due to LED lighting retrofits; heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment upgrades; and the use of energy management information systems as an opportunity to save energy and improve efficiency across Kohl’s more than 1,100 stores nationwide. Kohl’s continues to retrofit stores with high-efficiency lighting to reduce emissions and save electricity. In 2018 alone, we converted 124 stores to LED which will save an estimated 36 million kWh per year. Additionally, 85 stores received a HVAC system replacement for optimum efficiency.

Visit Kohl’s sustainability page to learn more about how Kohl’s seeks to positively impact climate change through energy efficiency.