Another US retail giant has joined the progression towards a globalised low-carbon economy. Target is the latest brand in America to publicly confirm its intention to begin using only renewable energy across its operation.

It plans to be powered entirely be clean energy sources by 2030. At the same time, it has set a challenging interim goal of a 60% renewable energy share by 2025. Its commitment will apply across the entire business, including its domestic stores, warehouses, corporate offices and other business-related infrastructure.

John Leisen, the VP of Target's property division, said that the brand had already been working for some years to operate in a more sustainable way and that this latest goal was a natural progression and key milestone. He added that the company was proud of the progress it had already made in using clean energy sources to power its stores and was now exploring various opportunities for clean energy partnerships.

Previously, the company has invested in a series of clean energy projects, including the Texan San Fork Solar plant in conjunction with ENGIE and the Illinois-based Lone Treet Wind Farm in partnership with Leeward Renewable Energy.

These projects alone are producing over 556,000 MwH of clean power, which is sufficient to meet the power needs of 280 Target retail stores each year.

Currently, the management team says, the company is sourcing 22pc of its power from clean sources, and it recognises that a significant drive will be needed to achieve the new target. The fresh push for renewables sourcing will sit strategically alongside a new strategy for clean on-site power generation. This will see Target installing solar PV on the rooftops of more than 500 company locations by next year. It will also be adding electric car charging facilities at a further 100 sites.