Decarbonizing Retail with Integrated Energy Solution

In February 2021, the USA rejoined the Paris Agreement on climate change, rejuvenating the country’s commitment to helping the world limit global warming to within 1.5°C of pre-industrial levels. This brought a renewed focus on the carbon footprint of economic activity, particularly in the retail sector, which accounts for 25% of global emissions per year. 

The global retail sector is vital to society: not only does it provide access to essential goods, such as food, clothing, and medicines, but it also provides an income to millions of workers.

When the global pandemic struck in early 2020, state lockdowns devastated US retail: 30 million people were laid off or furloughed,2 supply chains collapsed, revenues and cashflows plummeted, and corporate priorities became short-term survival. 

While the immediate threat of the pandemic has passed and retailers continue their recovery, the industry remains under immense pressure as it refocuses on the challenges of decarbonizing activities in a sustainable way.