NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In recognition of its commitment to 100% renewable electricity and to reducing its carbon footprint, Colgate-Palmolive Company today received a 2021 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year Award for Sustained Excellence for its leadership in energy efficiency across global operations. This marks the 11th consecutive year that Colgate has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy as an authority in energy-saving practices.
This honor recognizes Colgate’s commitment to global sustainability, which is further defined in its 2025 Sustainability & Social Impact Strategy. Over the past year, Colgate has achieved measurable progress towards meeting the ambitious sustainability goals outlined in this Strategy, including:
- Developing Colgate’s first Renewable Energy Master Plan, which was prompted by two new targets: To source 100% renewable electricity for global operations by 2030 and to become net zero carbon in operations by 2040.
- Implementing 49 new capital energy projects around the world estimated to reduce Colgate’s carbon footprint by nearly 9.2 million kilograms – equivalent to 1,000 homes’ energy use for one year.
- Working with Colgate’s largest suppliers to help increase their climate and energy awareness, with 35% of suppliers responding to our CDP Supply Chain request indicating they now have energy reduction goals.
- Continuing to hold “Energy Treasure Hunts” to encourage employees to uncover causes of energy waste and find opportunities for improvement. Since 2012, this program has identified nearly 2,400 energy savings projects with the potential to reduce Colgate’s energy consumption by about 400,000 MWh and CO2 emissions by more than 140,000 metric tons – equivalent to the carbon sequestered by over 2 million trees grown for 10 years.
The honor from ENERGY STAR® also recognized Colgate’s progress towards its long-time goal of reducing Scope 3 emissions by educating consumers about how to save water while using their products. Colgate’s Save Water campaign has helped consumers avoid more than an estimated 8.3 million metric tons of CO2 and 155 billion gallons of water since 2016 (that’s the amount of water it takes to fill 234,000 Olympic-sized pools).
“Since the Colgate brand is in more homes than any other, we have the opportunity to help people build sustainable habits into their everyday lives,” said Ann Tracy, Colgate’s Chief Sustainability Officer. “We are honored to be recognized by ENERGY STAR® for Colgate’s achievements in sustainability and ongoing efforts to lead action on climate change – from encouraging suppliers to reduce their energy consumption to making our operations even more energy efficient to helping consumers lead more sustainable lives through the use of our products.”
The 2021 ENERGY STAR recognition demonstrates Colgate’s ongoing momentum in its mission to reimagine a healthier, more sustainable future for all people, their pets and our planet. As of 2020, Colgate certified its 20th TRUE Zero Waste plant – more than any other company in the world, was named the top performing Household Products company on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices, and committed to furthering climate progress through participation in the UN Global Compact’s Water Resilience Coalition. Additional details about Colgate’s energy management and investment practices can be found in the Sustainability section of Colgate’s website. For ongoing updates regarding Colgate’s sustainability progress and accomplishments, follow Colgate on LinkedIn.
About ENERGY STAR:
ENERGY STAR® is the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency, providing simple, credible, and unbiased information that consumers and businesses rely on to make well-informed decisions. Thousands of industrial, commercial, utility, state, and local organizations—including more than 40 percent of the Fortune 500 companies—rely on their partnership with EPA to deliver cost-saving energy efficiency solutions. Since 1992, ENERGY STAR and its thousands of partners have helped American families and businesses avoid more than $450 billion in energy costs and achieve 4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions. More background information about ENERGY STAR can be found at: energystar.gov/about and https://www.energystar.gov/about/origins_mission/energy_star_numbers.
About Colgate-Palmolive Company:
Colgate-Palmolive Company is a caring, innovative growth company reimagining a healthier future for all people, their pets and our planet. Focused on Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition, the Company sells its products in more than 200 countries and territories under brands, such as Colgate, Palmolive, elmex, hello, meridol, Sorriso, Tom’s of Maine, EltaMD, Filorga, Irish Spring, PCA Skin, Protex, Sanex, Softsoap, Speed Stick, Ajax, Axion, Fabuloso, Soupline and Suavitel, as well as Hill’s Science Diet and Hill’s Prescription Diet. The Company is recognized for its leadership and innovation in promoting environmental sustainability and community well-being, including its achievements in saving water, reducing waste, promoting recyclability and improving children’s oral health through its Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program, which has reached more than one billion children since 1991. For more information about Colgate’s global business and how the Company is building a future to smile about, visit www.colgatepalmolive.com. CL-C
