A majority of the Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gases we generate are produced through the burning of fossil fuels. As a result, we have implemented a very effective energy management program to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels. We are working diligently to reduce and manage our environmental footprint, including greenhouse gases.
Energy
We are committed to reducing our energy consumption, reducing costs, optimizing capital investment for energy efficiency, reducing environmental and greenhouse gas emissions, and conserving natural resources.
Our energy management program consists of the following elements:
Corporate Engineering & Facilities Manager
Plant Energy Champions
Analysis of energy data
Energy audits
Performance goals
Energy action plans
Energy monitoring
Success recognition
The amount of electricity and natural gas used by our utility monitored operations for Fiscal 2019* is as follows:
Total power used: 397 616 GJ
Electric used: 260 588
GJ
LZB Branded Manufacturing
149 952
LZB Distribution Centers
7 012
LZB Retail
67 567
LZB Casegoods
19 851
LZB World HQ
16 206
Natural gas used: 137 028
GJ
LZB Branded Manufacturing
29 430
LZB Distribution Centers
13 636
LZB Retail
72 298
LZB Casegoods
17 962
LZB World HQ
3 702
*unaudited
We continue to utilize on-site generated renewable wood fuels for the generation of steam used in production operations, heating and absorption cooling, and we sell excess wood residuals for further reuse by other industries. Wood fuel from sustainably managed forests is a renewable resource that helps reduce our use of fossil fuels, reduces greenhouse gas emissions and also reduces the volume of waste going to a solid waste landfill.
We have reduced the amount of energy used by our LZB Branded Manufacturing operations by 33% compared with 2007 usage.
Renewable energy
Our Dayton, Tennessee manufacturing facility utilizes a biomass system to heat and cool the facility and provide steam to dry green lumber. This system produces approximately 21 million KW hour equivalent energy units. Our Severn, Maryland La-Z-boy Furniture Galleries store utilizes photovoltaic electricity. The company is investigating virtual power purchasing agreements and other applications to diversify its electricity sourcing. However, as of Fiscal 2020, we are purchasing more than 99% of our electricity from grid sources.
GHG emissions
The amount of greenhouse gas emissions (electricity and natural gas) from our utility monitored operations for Fiscal 2019* were:
Total scope 1 and 2 (electricity and natural gas): 41 213 metric tons CO2 equivalents
Scope 1 direct (natural gas): 7 244
Metric tons CO2 equivalents
LZB Branded Manufacturing
1 797
LZB Distribution Centers
706
LZB Retail
3 651
LZB Casegoods
904
LZB World HQ
186
Scope 2 (electric): 33 969
Metric tons CO2 equivalents
LZB Branded Manufacturing
20 561
LZB Distribution Centers
865
LZB Retail
7 976
LZB Casegoods
1 870
LZB World HQ
2 697
*unaudited
We do not currently measure our Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions.
We are evaluating methods to capture other sources of Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions but believe these are significantly less than those provided above with the exception of transportation-related greenhouse gases.
A majority of our greenhouse gas emission sources are from off-site electricity generation with a lesser extent coming from on-site natural gas consumption. As a result, a majority of our greenhouse gas emission pollutants are carbon dioxide with insignificant emissions of nitric oxide and methane.
Technology and opportunity
We work to continually improve our environmental performance and promptly evaluate, prepare for and manage new environmental aspects of our business through our EFEC initiatives (American Home Furnishings Alliance).
Our World Headquarters and Dayton, Tennessee Innovation Center are Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certified from the U.S. Vert Building Council; we are currently applying for LEED Certifications for our new England Headquarters.
We recently enhanced our monitoring capabilities by entering a partnership with a third-party specialist for utility bill management, strategic energy sourcing and utilization of a comprehensive energy and sustainability data management system.
