Bunnings is praised after vowing to use 100% renewable energy within five years – as the hardware giant commits to having zero carbon emissions by 2030
- Bunnings Warehouse announced it would reduce store energy consumption
- By 2025, the hardware stores will be ran on 100 per cent renewable electricity
- The business will prioritise the use of LED lights and solar PV panel systems
Bunnings Warehouse has announced it will run on 100 per cent renewable electricity by 2025.
The hardware giant made the commitment on Wednesday adding the business was hopeful the changes will allow for zero carbon emissions by 2030.
Through the use of LED lights as well as solar PV panels throughout Bunnings’ stores, the retailer has already cut its energy consumption by 20 per cent.
Bunnings Warehouse has announced it will run on 100 per cent renewable energy within the next five years
The retail chain’s Managing Director, Mike Schneider, said the business played an important role in ‘addressing climate change’.
‘This is a journey we started some time ago, but we know that we have a long way to go,’ he said.
‘We are absolutely committed to finding solutions that benefit our business, our customers and the environment and we are excited about what the future looks like.’
Bunnings currently has more than 70 solar PV systems operating at stores across the country, which in turn generates 30 per cent of the power needed to run.
Meanwhile an Alice Springs store has added a battery storage system for its solar panels which has generated 80 per cent of the energy needed.
By 2030, the hardware giant hopes to have zero carbon emissions (pictured customer in Melbourne Bunnings store)
One LED light has as much power as a standard light bulb and doesn’t omit any UV rays.
The use of solar panels mean Bunnings warehouses can rely on natural sunlight, vastly reducing their use of electricity and energy consumption.
Bunnings’ move has been praised by environmental groups, encouraging other businesses to follow suit.
Greenpeace Australia Pacific’s Lindsay Soutar, said the announcement was a huge win for the environment.
‘Bunnings is known for its lowest prices, but now lowering emissions is just the beginning,’ she said.
‘Committing to 100% renewable electricity and net zero emissions is a great win for the climate and for helping create local future-proof jobs in renewables.’
In the coming year, Bunnings aims to build another 20 solar systems for its stores.
Through the use of LED lights as well as solar PV panels throughout Bunnings’ stores, the retailer has already cut its energy consumption by 20 per cent (pictured solar panels on a Bunnings store roof)