Walmart beats emissions goal a year early

Walmart has reported that it has delivered a 20 percent cut in greenhouse gas emissions since 2005, beating its target one year ahead of schedule.

The company's 2011 figures show a 20.02 percent decrease in emissions from the Walmart stores, Sam's Clubs and distribution centers that existed in 2005, Bloomberg reported, surpassing the goal that had been set for 2012.

However, Walmart's overall emissions have risen since 2005 as a result of the continued global expansion of the retail giant. Emissions totaled 22 million tons in 2010, the most recent year for which data exists. This is exactly the amount of emissions Walmart is looking to cut from its supply chain by 2015.

Walmart currently uses about 4 percent green energy, as rated by a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ranking, which equates to around 751 million kilowatts a year and marks it as the fifth biggest user of clean energy in the U.S.

The company, however, has an "aspirational goal" of being 100 percent powered by renewable energy and has stepped up installations of rooftop solar panels at its stores across the U.S.

Earlier this week, the retailer announced it has fitted PV panels on 12 of its stores in Ohio, which should supply between 5 and 20 percent of each store's overall electricity use.

"Solar power makes sense for Walmart, and it makes sense for Ohio," said David Ozment, the company's senior director of energy. "We are committed to increasing the use of renewable energy resources, including solar panels, at our stores in Ohio and throughout the country."

This article originally appeared at BusinessGreen.com and is reprinted with permission.

Image provided by Wal-Mart.