Wal-Mart Chief Pledges to Go Greener

January 24, 2008

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

In a speech that promised widespread improvement and reform throughout Wal-Mart and its supply chain, Wal-Mart CEO H. Lee Scott, Jr., pledged to cut the energy used by many of its company’s products 25 percent, reports the New York Times.

“We live in a time when people are losing confidence in the ability of government to solve problems.” But Wal-Mart, he said, “does not wait for someone else to solve problems.”Since 2005, Wal-Mart has committed itself to a number of energy reforms. Its sale of 145 million compact fluorescent light bulbs has, according to Scott, saved enough electricity to forestall the need for three coal-fired power plants.

Scott said Wal-Mart would now focus on additional products that use a large amount of energy, like air-conditioners, microwave ovens and televisions. Its goal is to work with suppliers to make such products 25 percent more energy-efficient within three years. “When Wal-Mart asks, suppliers jump,” said Noah Horowitz of the Natural Resources Defense Council.

In addition, Scott said the company is talking to leaders of the automobile industry about selling electric or hybrid cars and might even install windmills in its parking lots so customers could recharge their cars with renewable electricity.

Finally, Scott committed Wal-Mart to creating a more socially and environmentally conscious network of suppliers around the world. He called on major retailers to join a global network of retailers and consumer goods companies, led by Paris-based C.I.E.S., that is developing socially conscious manufacturing standards. “We believe there should be one framework of social and environmental standards for all major global retailers,” he said.

Scott also said he would press for suppliers in China to comply with that country’s environmental regulations and would require them to certify that they meet industry standards.

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Advertisers

Stay competitive through sustainability.

Find out how at the SAP Sustainability Resource Center. >>

Unclear about the EPA's new GHG Rule?

Learn how it could affect your business. >>

EPA mandatory emissions reporting starts Jan 1st

CSA Standards can help your organization get ready for compliance. Find out how. >>

Survey Results: Product Environmental Compliance Best Practices

How to achieve compliance at a significantly lower cost. Download the full report. >>

Join the Discussion

Reader Comments

Where this story gets interesting will be their impact on suppliers. their move to reduced packaging will reduce wasted packaging and reduce oil consumption. Imagine it they forced every factory to get 25% of their energy from solar panels? or reduce water consumption by 30%?

Wal-Mart is an easy target for many things, but all that aside, the fact is that they have real power and can bring about real changes through a real committment.

R
http://www.china-crossroads.com

China @ Crossroads | January 25th, 2008

Recent Daily News [ see all ]

11/25/2009
11/24/2009
11/23/2009

Charts [ see all ]

Scarce Water Resources a Growing Business Risk

Government Intervention Required to Drive “Green” Technology

62% of Firms Assign Environmental Team for Green Goals

European Paper Industry Cuts CO2 Emissions by 42% since 1990

Jobs

View All Jobs >> Post a Job >>

Comments and Discussions

Charles V. Barlow on Retrofitted Exit Signs Can Save Up to 90% in Energy Costs
"LED exit signs can provide significant savings in energy and..."

Jetset1 on Energy-Savings Claims Don’t Add Up for Microsoft’s Windows 7
"This article is wrong. If your PC is less than a few years old,..."

Iain on McD’s in Germany Trades Red for Green In Logo
"Now if only their food was healthy and nutritious."

Phil on Climate Scientists Alleged to Have Manipulated Data
"After reading all the comments it seems obvious, to me, that the individuals populating..."

Marc Hudson on McD’s in Germany Trades Red for Green In Logo
"where will the stone be mined from- under what labor rights conditions? Will the..."

Clyde on Climate Scientists Alleged to Have Manipulated Data
"This just shows all the Global Warming freaks out there are a bunch of criminals cut from..."

Car Rental Singapore on News Corp. Taps Hara for Energy Efficiency, Environmental Management
"Energy reduction is a good thing. We need to save the..."

Environmental Leader