(Justmeans.com / CSR News) - March 5, 2010 – The world’s largest home improvement retailer announced Thursday a 2.6 billion kWh reduction in energy use in its domestic stores, which represents a 16% decrease since 2004. The company has set a goal to reduce energy use and domestic supply chain emissions 20% by the end of 2015.

At the start of 2004, The Home Depot's energy usage was 25 kWh per square foot. Through a series of operational programs including the upgrading of store HVAC systems, aligning of stocking hours more closely with store operating hours, use of CFL bulbs and a switch to T5 lighting, the Company's U.S. store energy usage now stands at 21 kWh per square foot. Since these reductions began in 2004, the Company has saved 2.6 billion kWh of energy, which is enough energy to power 203,000 homes for one year.  

The company also announced their goal of reducing domestic supply chain emissions by 20% based on 2008 levels by 2015. The majority of these reductions will come from more efficient shipment routing, scheduling and consolidation of shipments to stores. The company is also in the midst of a supply chain transformation where they will eliminate their centralized distribution network and utilize mostly supplier-to-store shipments. They hope this will reduce their miles driven per year by 200 million, or about 25 million gallons of fuel.