Castorama goes above and beyond for sustainability

A first in the French home improvement sector, Castorama France is aiming for a 45% reduction in energy consumption by 2020.

All 102 Castorama stores in France, as well as Castorama headquarters, have just renewed their ISO 50001 certification. First obtained by Castorama three years ago, ISO 50001 is an international certification that recognises companies that go above and beyond energy efficiency regulations, and that make continued progress on consumption goals.

The awarding body AFNOR* independently assesses companies against the ISO 50001 standards. They have judged Castorama’s capacity to manage energy costs, optimise consumption, and investment in new technologies to merit a renewed certification.

Some of the measures already taken by Castorama include: real-time monitoring of gas, electricity, and water consumption, with alerts for over-consumption in all stores; continued roll-out of LED lighting, whereby 1/3 of stores are already equipped; sustainable building practices that favour low-consumption stores, including the installation of solar panels; and training for store teams, who play a key role in the daily management of Castorama’s goals.

Thanks to combined energy saving measures, Castorama and Brico Dépôt France have been able to decrease consumption by 25% since 2010. As part of their continued commitment to energy efficiency, Brico Dépôt France has now begun taking steps to obtain the ISO 50001 certification, and both businesses have committed to a 45% reduction in consumption by 2020.

*Association Française de Normalisation

Source: Insight DIY Team & Kingfisher press release.

For all the very latest news on Castorama and Kingfisher, sign up for the Insight DIY newsletter today.