Wesco Sustainability Goals 2030: Emissions, Waste & Renewable Energy Initiatives
Wesco is committed to achieving its 2030 sustainability targets by lessening our environmental footprint. We are working closely with customers, suppliers, and the communities where we operate to reassess programs and processes so we can move further toward our objectives.
To support our emissions reduction goals, new building leases now include energy efficiency requirements. For company-owned facilities, we have introduced a range of measures to improve energy performance. In addition, by partnering with utility providers on renewable energy solutions, we expect to cut emissions even further. In 2024, we enhanced the accuracy of our waste and recycling data and resolved gaps identified in 2023. Looking ahead, our focus will be on waste reduction strategies to ensure we meet our 2030 commitments.
Key actions include: launching waste reduction projects at high-impact sites, expanding employee sustainability training, collaborating with suppliers to refine recycling streams, and strengthening data collection and analysis for better decision-making.
Our Global Sustainability Policy provides the framework for these initiatives. It incorporates elements from ISO 14001:2015 environmental management standards and details accountability, responsibilities, and performance metrics. Progress is tracked monthly by the sustainability and compliance team and reported to senior leadership. We apply the Plan-Do-Check-Act approach to ensure continuous improvement across our environmental and energy programs.
Environmental Goals
Targets by 2030:
To support our emissions reduction goals, new building leases now include energy efficiency requirements. For company-owned facilities, we have introduced a range of measures to improve energy performance. In addition, by partnering with utility providers on renewable energy solutions, we expect to cut emissions even further. In 2024, we enhanced the accuracy of our waste and recycling data and resolved gaps identified in 2023. Looking ahead, our focus will be on waste reduction strategies to ensure we meet our 2030 commitments.
Key actions include: launching waste reduction projects at high-impact sites, expanding employee sustainability training, collaborating with suppliers to refine recycling streams, and strengthening data collection and analysis for better decision-making.
Our Global Sustainability Policy provides the framework for these initiatives. It incorporates elements from ISO 14001:2015 environmental management standards and details accountability, responsibilities, and performance metrics. Progress is tracked monthly by the sustainability and compliance team and reported to senior leadership. We apply the Plan-Do-Check-Act approach to ensure continuous improvement across our environmental and energy programs.
Environmental Goals
Targets by 2030:
- Cut absolute scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 30% in the U.S., Canada, and U.K. (using 2021 as the baseline).
- Reduce landfill waste intensity by 15% across U.S. and Canadian sites (based on 2020 levels).
Progress to date:
- Emissions are down 3%, equal to 2,556 MTCO2e, from the 2021 baseline in the U.S., Canada, and U.K.
- Landfill waste intensity in 2024 was 20% higher than in 2020, falling short of expectations. However, waste tracking improved significantly, and overall recycling volumes rose by 44%.
Alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals:
- Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- Goal 9: Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure
- Goal 12: Responsible Consumption & Production
Energy
Our global operations in about 50 countries rely mainly on electricity and natural gas for lighting, heating, and cooling at distribution and sales facilities. In addition, our fleet of approximately 1,300 trucks and 1,800 cars contributes to total energy use through fuel consumption. Expanding renewable energy use and adopting new energy efficiency measures are central to our reduction strategy.
Facilities
Because most of our facilities are leased, controlling energy use presents challenges. While business consolidations have optimized operations, overall square footage has increased to meet growth, which has offset some efficiency gains. To incorporate renewables into our energy mix, we launched a renewable energy certificate program, beginning with local, verified projects in high-consumption areas. We also engage landlords and property managers to pursue efficiency improvements where possible.
Lease negotiations offer the best opportunity to influence energy performance, and energy efficiency requirements are now standard in new contracts. For owned buildings, initiatives include energy audits, HVAC upgrades, electrification projects, and renewable energy adoption. By analyzing facility energy data, we identify outliers and opportunities to reduce consumption, and with utility partnerships on renewables, we continue progressing toward our 2030 emissions target.
Renewable Energy in Our Facilities
Our global operations in about 50 countries rely mainly on electricity and natural gas for lighting, heating, and cooling at distribution and sales facilities. In addition, our fleet of approximately 1,300 trucks and 1,800 cars contributes to total energy use through fuel consumption. Expanding renewable energy use and adopting new energy efficiency measures are central to our reduction strategy.
Facilities
Because most of our facilities are leased, controlling energy use presents challenges. While business consolidations have optimized operations, overall square footage has increased to meet growth, which has offset some efficiency gains. To incorporate renewables into our energy mix, we launched a renewable energy certificate program, beginning with local, verified projects in high-consumption areas. We also engage landlords and property managers to pursue efficiency improvements where possible.
Lease negotiations offer the best opportunity to influence energy performance, and energy efficiency requirements are now standard in new contracts. For owned buildings, initiatives include energy audits, HVAC upgrades, electrification projects, and renewable energy adoption. By analyzing facility energy data, we identify outliers and opportunities to reduce consumption, and with utility partnerships on renewables, we continue progressing toward our 2030 emissions target.
Renewable Energy in Our Facilities
- In 2024, Wesco initiated a renewable energy program for company facilities.
- We prioritized Illinois and Texas, our two highest electricity-consuming states, by investing in locally generated and Green-e certified renewable energy certificates (19,191 MWh total).
- We also participate in community solar projects and take advantage of tax credit opportunities to encourage renewable development in regions where we operate.
Click here to know more about our 2025 Sustainability Report.
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