Environmental
Sustainability

We’re committed to protecting our environment in ways such as investing in sustainable farming and renewable energy, recycling, and reducing waste and water use. We track our progress on our long-term targets and programs that help us address our overall environmental impact.
Reduced our carbon footprint
37.8% per square foot5,6
since our 2010 baseline through actions that include installing LED lights, occupancy sensors and new fan units and solar panels
Reduced our water usage by
2.2M gallons6
in 2021 from prior year through low building occupancy and installing low-flow bathroom fixtures
Increased our landfill diversion
50.1% in 20216
through low building occupancy and actions that include recycling 100% of electronics
Our waste was reduced by
919 tons6
in 2021 through the effects of a hybrid workplace and more associates working from home
Invested
$173M in 2021
in renewable energy
IN 2021 Printed
7.89M
fewer pages than prior year and 175 million fewer pages than in 2012
Invested
$375M in 2021
in green bonds which support activities to promote climate risk mitigation or adaption, or other environmental sustainability purposes
5 Based on Scope 1 & 2 emissions
6 Represents reporting period October 2020 - September 2021

New Scottsdale location embraces sustainable design

Nationwide’s new offices at Cavasson in Scottsdale, Arizona incorporates environmentally friendly design principles including LEED certified, solar power, high efficiency glass, occupancy sensors and LED lighting, water-efficient fixtures, electric car chargers, and sustainable materials such as 100% carbon neutral flooring.

Solar benefits continue to grow

Nationwide invested $43M in solar energy with Renewable Energy Alternatives in 2021. This investment supports programs that allow customers to share the benefits from solar power by subscribing to a portion of the solar project’s output in exchange for credits on their utility bills.

LEEDing the way in new urbanism

Nationwide Realty Investors’ Grandview Yard in Columbus, Ohio was one of the first developments in the Midwest to be awarded Silver LEED for Neighborhood Development Pre-Certification. Now in its final certification phase, the 125-acre mixed-use development integrates principles of smart growth, urbanism and green building for sustainable neighborhood design.

Influencing policy through industry partnerships

We continue to partner with the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) promoting stronger building codes, better disaster mitigation policy and resilient infrastructure. This year we joined the IBHS Climate Adaptation working group in developing a white paper to educate policymakers. The paper identified six principles that reflect how we can encourage and improve resiliency by empowering home and business owners through public policy.

Addressing food security and sustainability

The Nationwide Foundation’s investment with The Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) focuses on food security and environmental sustainability. Construction is currently underway on the Controlled Environment Agriculture Research Complex on Waterman Farms, a high-tech greenhouse that will enable significant research on food production. A facility of this magnitude is the first of its kind in the collegiate realm.