Sustainability
NREL is a leader in sustainability. Our goal is to minimize the use of energy, materials, and water while carrying out the laboratory's mission of clean energy research.
Employees reduce mobile greenhouse gas emissions generated from commuting to work by biking to work instead.
Energy and Water
NREL strives to minimize the environmental, economic, and social impacts of doing business. We embrace the best in energy, water, and ecological conservation practices, setting the standard for the responsible use of natural resources.
Environment
NREL sustainability efforts protect and enhance our environment through greenhouse gas reduction, waste reduction and pollution prevention, and green purchasing.
Sustainable and Net Zero Energy Buildings
High-performance buildings across NREL's South Table Mountain campus, like the net zero energy Research Support Facility, incorporate a number of state-of-the art energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies, making them models for sustainability.
Transportation
NREL's highly replicable transportation infrastructure and programs significantly reduce petroleum use campus-wide via alternative fuel fleet vehicles, increased staff use of alternative transportation, telecommuting, and onsite shuttles.
Sustainability Culture
NREL has a strong sustainability culture where employees actively work to help achieve goals like reducing mobile emissions by participating in alternative work schedules and using alternative modes of transportation. Employees also participate in NREL's recycling and composting program. In addition, staff provide new sustainability ideas and support events like Bike to Work Day and Earth Day.
Environmental Stewardship Goals
NREL proactively pursues sustainability in all its operations to meet the laboratory's environmental stewardship goals. The laboratory is also charged with providing leadership within the U.S. Department of Energy complex to achieve energy and environmental goals.