2025

The power of E in ESG

Energy efficiency initiatives enable you to impact all three ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) components while realizing a “hidden” benefit for your organization: significant, immediate energy cost savings. Energy efficiency projects are not only planet- and people-friendly, they’re relatively easy to measure, manage, and scale. 

And the good news? There's still time to make improvements that result in reportable, realized savings – this year – if you start now. 

On average, commercial buildings waste 30% of the energy they consume, and they consume 42% of the nation’s energy.1 Every day that commercial efficiency projects are delayed means more energy wasted and savings lost.

What's next?

Map out a big-picture plan and hone your plan to stage initiatives over time. However, developing, orchestrating, and optimizing that plan requires capital, expertise, and resources.

That’s where we come in. 

Put your ESG plan into motion

Take these steps >

Get an energy audit to establish a baseline for metrics

Prioritize the quick hits and measurable returns 

Seek advice – perhaps start with your energy company

Get bids, including finding out what financing looks like

Form a plan

Take action

Measure, analyze and report your progress

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Sustainability SOS

If your organization is caught between walking your ESG talk and managing energy capacity, capital and financial resources, consider working with Key.

 

Since 2010, our Clean Energy team has helped businesses like yours refine and achieve their sustainability goals with energy efficiency projects. We help them create an integrated approach, including resources critical to prioritize and implement their projects.

QUIZ

What percentage of global respondents ranked Environment as their highest ESG priority?

YOU'RE RIGHT!

88% of global respondents ranked Environment as the highest priority amongst ESG2

NICE TRY!

Believe it or not, 88% of global respondents ranked Environment as the highest priority amongst ESG1

Examples of our clients' success

Energy efficiency 

Energy efficiency

Upgraded 32 sites located in 17 different states with high-efficiency LED lights and building management systems. The project reduced total electricity use by 71% and eliminated 138,530 tons of annual CO2 emissions — the equivalent of taking 26,911 cars off the road annually.

Solar

Solar

Financed a 14.7MW DC solar installation for a major university with a $32MM, 15-year Sale Lease-back.

Hydrogen-based fuel cell

Hydrogen-based fuel cell

Assisting in financing the world’s first commercial ferry, powered entirely by hydrogen fuel cells with zero emissions.

Fuel cell

Fuel cell

Financed $100MM+ in fuel cells to power material handling equipment at multiple distribution centers of a leading online retailer.

Microgrid

Microgrid

Provided financing for a renewable energy system (inclusive of rooftop and canopy solar, storage, and EV charging stations) for a turnkey corporate headquarters facility.

Want a copy?

Download our pdf version and let’s discuss your options to help you get there sooner.

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Learn about all of our energy finance capabilities

Key offers a variety of products to make it easier for you and your customers to access clean-energy solutions.