Kohl’s has been an active member of EPA’s Green Power Partnership since 2006, and has been named on EPA’s Green Power Top 30 Retail list since 2014, previously holding the number one spot for four consecutive years.
Green Power Partner & Top 30 Retailer
Kohl’s was recognized with the SmartWay® 2020 Excellence Award as an industry leader in freight supply chain, environmental performance and energy efficiency. Kohl’s was one of just 17 shipper and logistics companies to receive the distinction this year, in recognition of the company’s sustainability efforts and exceptional performance moving goods in the cleanest and most energy-efficient way possible, leading to cleaner and healthier communities.
SmartWay Shipper Partner
Our cooperating partnership with the EPA ENERGY STAR program has remained consistent since 1998. Kohl’s was selected as a 2020 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year winner for Sustained Excellence, an honor reserved for ENERGY STAR partners demonstrating outstanding leadership, year over year.
EPA ENERGY STAR Partner & Sustained Excellence Award
Kohl’s is one of the founding members of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) and maintains an active membership. The SAC is a group of apparel manufacturers, retailers, brands and non-government organizations working together to standardize sustainability measures in the apparel and footwear supply chain.
Sustainable Apparel Coalition
In an effort to make meaningful improvements and more sustainable choices when it comes to protecting the well-being of factory workers, local communities and the environment, we use the Higg Index. The Higg Index is a suite of tools that accurately measures several environmental and social impacts, delivering a holistic overview of supply chain factory compliance and sustainability performance. We require all approved facilities producing private and exclusive branded products to complete the Higg Facility Environmental Module (FEM). The Higg FEM assesses energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, water use, wastewater, waste management and chemical management. In addition, our strategic suppliers are required to complete the Higg Brand and Retail Module (BRM) as well as the Higg Facility Social and Labor Module (FSLM).
Higg Index
We are a member of the U.S. Green Building Council and we use the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design™ (LEED®) green building program rating systems to guide the design, construction and operation of our stores. Commercial buildings that are LEED® certified use, on average, 25% less energy than similar buildings and generate one-third less carbon dioxide emissions. We continue to emphasize LEED®, where appropriate, and our portfolio stands as a testament to the steps we have taken to reduce our environmental impact and provide customers with a positive and healthy shopping environment.
U.S. Green Building Council Member
Since 2007, we have disclosed emissions data to CDP. Our CDP Climate Change response includes detailed information on our strategy and performance, enabling us to measure and manage our environmental impacts. As a result of our continuing efforts, we were awarded CDP’s A- ranking in 2020. This is the second consecutive year we have been recognized at the CDP’s Leadership Level, demonstrating a significant acknowledgement of our continued commitment to climate action.
Leadership Level CDP Ranking
As a participant in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Building Challenge, Kohl’s reached our goal of 20% energy reduction by 2020 two years early. We are one of only three retailers to become a Better Building Challenge Achiever. We’ve now set our sights higher with the new goal to cut an additional 10% on top of the 20% already realized.
U.S. Department of Energy's Better Building Challenge Achiever
Kohl’s actively serves on the advisory board of the Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council (WSBC). Kohl’s has been awarded the Green Masters Award in 2020 for its performance across multiple initiatives. The WSBC awards the Green Masters Award to businesses performing in the top 20% of applicants in the Green Masters Program, a comprehensive environmental, social and governance (ESG) assessment program.
Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council
Kohl's was named to Barron's list of the Top 100 Sustainable Companies in 2020 and 2019. Kohl’s is recognized for our strong commitment to environmental, social and corporate governance practices. Logo reprinted with permission of Barron's.
Barron’s 100 Most Sustainable Companies
Kohl’s has been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) North America for the third consecutive year (2018, 2019, 2020). Acknowledging the company’s sustainability performance and environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments. The DJSI evaluates a company’s impact on people, communities and the planet for socially-conscious investors.
DJSI North America
We are honored to be recognized as a global leader in sustainability and have been included in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook for the first time in 2021. We were one of only two U.S. retailers listed and one of just 16 from around the world. The annual yearbook includes companies that rank in the top 15% of their industry for sustainability performance and environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments as part of the S&P Corporate Sustainability Assessment. Learn more.
S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook Member
In 2019, Kohl’s was honored with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) WasteWise Regional award for excellence in waste management, leading large businesses in its practices of preventing waste and recycling in order to achieve both environmental and economic benefits. Kohl’s has been a voluntary partner and active participant of the EPA’s WasteWise program since 2006.
EPA WasteWise Partner & Award
Kohl’s is an active member of the How2Recycle® label program since 2019. How2Recycle® is a standardized labeling system that clearly communicates recycling instructions to the public. It involves a coalition of forward thinking brands who want their packaging to be recycled and are empowering consumers through smart packaging labels.
How2Recycle®
Kohl’s has been an active member of the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) since 2019. BCI is the largest cotton sustainability program in the world and aims to transform cotton production worldwide.
Better Cotton Initiative (BCI)
We are proud to be ranked as one of the Top 25 Corporate Users by Solar Energy Industries Association® (SEIA) for our continued prioritization of onsite solar installations. With over 50 MW of solar energy installed, we are among the leading retail giants who are increasingly turning to solar to power their operations.
Learn more here.
Solar Energy Industries Association® Top 25
Corporate Solar User
We are proud to be ranked as one of the Top 25 Corporate Users by Solar Energy Industries Association® (SEIA) for our continued prioritization of onsite solar installations. With over 50 MW of solar energy installed, we are among the leading retail giants who are increasingly turning to solar to power their operations. Learn more here.
Solar Energy Industries Association®
Top 25 Corporate Solar User
We are proud to be ranked as one of the Top 25 Corporate Users by Solar Energy Industries Association® (SEIA) for our continued prioritization of onsite solar installations. With over 50 MW of solar energy installed, we are among the leading retail giants who are increasingly turning to solar to power their operations. Learn more here.
Solar Energy Industries Association® Top 25 Corporate Solar User
