by Brianna Crandall — April 16, 2014—Steelcase Inc., global provider of office furniture, has raised the bar for the furniture industry with its announcement that the company’s renewable energy investment is now equivalent to 100% of its global electricity consumption, and that the company is extending the chance to buy renewable energy to its suppliers.
This long-term commitment makes Steelcase the 15th largest 100% renewable energy purchaser in the United States, according to the U.S. EPA’s Green Power Partnership program. It also reflects the company’s larger energy sustainability strategy, which has resulted in a 60% reduction in energy use to date since the company began tracking its consumption in 2001.
Steelcase has chosen to purchase its renewable energy credits (RECs) from a portfolio that includes newer projects and non-emitting sources like wind and hydroelectric energy in North America and Europe. Steelcase is reportedly the first major company in the furniture industry to purchase non-emitting renewable energy equivalent to 100 percent of its global electricity consumption.
“Our commitment to renewable energy is reflective of our passion for innovation and the environment. We’re helping grow an industry that will ultimately benefit the entire world,” said Jim Keane, President and CEO of Steelcase Inc. “But as a reflection of our company values, we maintain a sense of urgency in limiting our use of fossil fuels. Steelcase remains focused on identifying innovative ways to build the energy efficiency of our operations, to reduce the embodied energy of our products, and to help our customers optimize their own real estate and energy use.”
In an effort to expand positive impact, Steelcase has created what it calls a one-of-a-kind program that will encourage the company’s suppliers to purchase clean RECs from new wind energy facilities that came online in 2011 or later. Those partners choosing to participate will benefit from Steelcase’s volume discount pricing.
