Ameren Missouri hailed for sustainability initiatives
Ameren Missouri was recently recognized as a “Champion Innovation Project” award winner for its commitment to sustainability in 2020. More than 50 companies, non-profits, institutions, and governmental bodies participated in the 2020 St. Louis Green Business Challenge, a program of the Missouri Botanical Garden.
The St. Louis Green Business Challenge focuses on “Triple Bottom Line” results (fiscal, social, and environmental) to help businesses of all types and sizes across the St. Louis region. The Challenge supports the integration of sustainability measures into the kinds of everyday operational practices common to every business. Participants identify and adopt strategies that improve financial performance and engage employees in voluntary measures to reduce environmental impacts.
"I am proud of our team for increasing the company's commitment to sustainability and for being recognized for our 2020 efforts by the St. Louis Green Business Challenge," said Gwen Mizell, vice president, sustainability and electrification, Ameren. "Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time and we have a duty to make changes that will benefit all Ameren customers. Too often, underserved and vulnerable communities are hardest hit by the world’s challenges. Ameren Missouri’s updated Integrated Resource Plan keeps inclusion in mind, so that all customers, regardless of where they live or their household income, have access to safe, clean and affordable energy without compromising reliability."
The measurable elements of Ameren Missouri's sustainability award include:
Updated carbon emission reduction targets, based on 2005 levels, to 50% by 2030 and 85% by 2040, and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. New goals align with the objectives of the Paris Agreement, limiting global temperature rise to 1.5° Celsius.
Announced plans to add 3,100 MW of new clean, renewable generation by 2030, and a total of 5,400 MW by 2040.
Advanced retirement of Ameren Missouri’s coal-fired energy centers. More than 75% of the company’s current coal-fired energy generating capacity will be retired by 2040; all will be retired by 2042.
A fleet electrification goal of 100% for new light-duty vehicle purchases by 2030, plus a goal of 35% for overall vehicle fleet electrified by 2030.
Qualitative elements of Ameren Missouri's award focused on:
Publication of Ameren's award-winning 2020 Sustainability Report (previously a Corporate Social Responsibility Report), a comprehensive view of action taken on key environmental, social, and governance (ESG) matters.
The Community Savers® program which distributed 240,000 LEDs and 1,700 window AC units to income-eligible customers in 2020.
Investment of ~$240 million to fund energy efficiency and demand response programs over 2020-2024 through BizSavers®, Residential, and Community Savers® programs.
Updated parking areas with new EV charging stations, 65 co-worker spaces at St. Louis headquarters and 27 spaces at other facility locations, supporting regional electrification initiatives.
Learn more about Ameren Missouri's sustainability efforts in this video, which was featured during the awards ceremony, and at Ameren.com
Since the St. Louis Green Business Challenge program launched in 2010, 245 businesses, non-profits, and municipalities have joined the Challenge. This participation has engaged more than 155,000 employees and nearly 470,000 residents for a total of more than 620,000 individuals influenced by this work. Ongoing sustainability commitment is strong: 60% of these companies have participated in the challenge for two or more years, 45% for three years or more.
Initiated in partnership with the St. Louis Regional Chamber, the Challenge has leveraged the Chamber’s broad business network and the Garden’s sustainability resources to grow a network of companies committed to green policy and practice.