DTE Energy
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2018, 2021, 2023)
Reporting Period: 2018
Environmental Metrics
Total Carbon Emissions:32.9 million tons CO2e (2018)
Water Consumption:1.095 billion gallons (2018)
Waste Generated:54.1 tons hazardous waste (2018); various tons of other waste (see report for details)
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate Change
- Workforce Development
- Community Involvement
- Employee Engagement
- Diversity and Inclusion
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced electricity usage by 1.55 million kilowatt-hours (5.74% over 2017 consumption) at headquarters and service centers.
- Recycled 100% of the gypsum produced at DTE Energy power plants.
- Voluntarily maintains 8,000 acres of land in its natural state, providing habitat for wildlife.
Social Achievements
- Spent $1.7 billion with Michigan businesses in 2018, creating and sustaining more than 8,000 jobs.
- Spent $472 million with certified diverse suppliers.
- Implemented a Parental Leave Program providing paid time off for eligible employees.
- Expanded safety culture to include contractors.
Governance Achievements
- Board of directors consisted of 12 directors, 11 of which are independent.
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Achieve net zero carbon emissions for electric company by 2050
Short-term Goals:
- Reduce electricity usage by 25% by 2022 (from 2017 baseline)
Environmental Challenges
- Largest turnover in workforce as baby boomer generation retires.
- Critical shortage of qualified tree trimmers in Michigan.
Mitigation Strategies
- Partnering with industry and community partners to improve educational outcomes and create employment pipelines.
- Working with IBEW Local 17 and the Michigan Department of Corrections to train returning citizens as Line Clearance Tree Trim apprentices.
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Supplier diversity program; spent $472 million with diverse vendors in 2018.
- Safety program requiring contractors to participate and report safety metrics.
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI Standards Core option, Edison Electric Institute industry sector template, American Gas Association ESG Template
Certifications: ISO 14001, Wildlife Habitat Council Certification
Awards & Recognition
- 11 industry-wide supplier diversity achievement awards (2018)
Reporting Period: 2021
Environmental Metrics
Total Carbon Emissions:29,466,531 MT CO2e (Owned and Purchased Generation)
Scope 1 Emissions:26,500,000 MT CO2e (DTE Electric)
Scope 2 Emissions:188,000 MT CO2e (DTE Electric)
Scope 3 Emissions:2,200,000 MT CO2e (DTE Electric) + Upstream DTE Gas Supplier Emissions + Natural Gas Delivered (CO2e from customer use)
Renewable Energy Share:29% increase in renewable energy generation capacity in 2021
Total Energy Consumption:1,900,000 MWh (approximate)
Water Consumption:970,300 million gallons (Non-Consumptive Withdrawals)
Waste Generated:694,044 tons (Coal Combustion Residuals)
Carbon Intensity:0.635 MT CO2e/Net MWh (Owned and Purchased Generation)
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate Change
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Reliability
- Affordability
- Community Engagement
- Safety
- Supply Chain Sustainability
- Governance
Environmental Achievements
- Added 384 megawatts of new wind and solar energy, increasing renewable energy generation capacity by 29%
- Permanently retired River Rouge coal-fired plant
- Reduced surface water withdrawals for power generation by 30% since 2005
- Recycled 90% of gypsum produced at power plants
- Reduced emissions of conventional air pollutants at power plants by more than 80 percent since 2005
Social Achievements
- Launched Natural Gas Balance program, with over 5,300 customers enrolled
- Launched Tree Trim Academy, graduating 60 diverse students
- Increased hiring of people of color and women from 18% in 2018 to 44% in 2021 (Electric Company)
- 42% of hires in Gas organization were people of color and women in 2021
- Connected customers to $196 million in energy assistance
Governance Achievements
- Updated supplier code of conduct to align with Electric Utility Industry Sustainable Supply Chain Alliance model
- Implemented a robust ethics program with ethics ambassadors in each business unit
- Strengthened DTE Foundation's grantmaking process with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Reduce water withdrawal 90% by 2040 (DTE Electric)
- Reduce carbon emissions 90% by 2040 (DTE Electric)
- Achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 (DTE Electric and DTE Gas suppliers)
Medium-term Goals:
- Reduce water withdrawal 60% by 2028 (DTE Electric)
- Reduce carbon emissions 65% by 2028 (DTE Electric)
- Achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 (DTE Gas operations)
Short-term Goals:
- Reduce water withdrawal 40% by 2023 (DTE Electric)
- Reduce carbon emissions 32% by 2023 (DTE Electric)
Environmental Challenges
- Workforce turnover as the baby boomer generation retires
- Shortage of qualified tree trimmers
- Maintaining affordability of energy while transitioning to cleaner sources
- Supply chain disruptions due to severe weather events
- Managing risks associated with cybersecurity threats
Mitigation Strategies
- Investing in workforce development programs to close the skilled trades gap
- Developing alternative sourcing strategies for supplies
- Expanding low-income energy assistance programs
- Implementing robust cybersecurity measures and partnerships
- Investing in grid modernization to improve reliability and resilience
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: 112 top suppliers completed The Sustainability Project assessment
Responsible Procurement
- Supplier code of conduct
- Supplier safety program
- Supplier performance management
- Diverse supplier spend requirements
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Severe weather events
Transition Risks
- Regulatory changes
- Market shifts
Opportunities
- Development of renewable energy projects
- Energy efficiency improvements
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI, SASB, TCFD, EEI, AGA
Certifications: ISO 14001
Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)
- Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure)
- Goal 13 (Climate Action)
Initiatives contribute to these goals through renewable energy development, grid modernization, and emissions reductions
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Renewable natural gas
Awards & Recognition
- The Civic 50
- Best Employers: Excellence in Health & Well-Being
- Michigan Works! Impact Award
- Gallup Exceptional Place to Work
- Disability Equality Index
- DiversityInc.'s top utility companies for diversity
- Best and Brightest in Wellness
- Metro Detroit’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For
- Gold-Level Veteran-Friendly employer
- National Minority Supplier Development Council Class II Corporation of the Year
Reporting Period: 2023
Environmental Metrics
Total Carbon Emissions:24,490,205 tCO2e (2023)
Scope 1 Emissions:21,019,000 tCO2e (2023)
Scope 2 Emissions:115,000 tCO2e (2023)
Scope 3 Emissions:4,252,000 tCO2e (2023)
Water Consumption:757,585 MG (2023)
Waste Generated:798,317 tons (2023)
Carbon Intensity:0.5 MTCO2e/Net MWh (2023)
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate Change
- Customer Affordability
- Human Capital Management
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Supply Chain Management
- Board and Employee Ethics
- Risk Governance
- Cybersecurity
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced CO2 emissions by 45% from a 2005 baseline in 2023 (exceeded 2023 goal of 32%)
- Reduced emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, mercury, and particulate matter by more than 80% since 2005
- Reduced surface water withdrawals for power generation by 44% since 2005
- Recycled 100% of gypsum produced at power plants in 2023
- Invested $4 billion in renewable energy infrastructure since 2009, with plans to invest an additional $5.5 billion by 2026
- Added 225 megawatts of wind generation capacity in 2023 with Meridian Wind Park
- Have 20 wind parks and 33 solar parks generating enough clean energy to power more than 750,000 homes
Social Achievements
- Connected customers to nearly $158 million in financial aid for energy bills in the 2022-2023 fiscal year
- Launched a new Conscious Inclusion training with a 98% completion rate
- More than 3,900 DTE employees volunteered over 75,000 hours in 2023
- Spent $2.7 billion with 2,008 Michigan businesses in 2023
- Increased spend with diverse suppliers by more than 167% since 2014
Governance Achievements
- Established a new Safety Energy Model focused on high-energy tasks
- Implemented a rigorous pre-qualification process for all suppliers
- Established a supplier code of conduct
- Implemented Supplier Performance Management (SPM), saving hundreds of millions of dollars
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Net zero carbon emissions by 2050 for both electric and gas utilities
Medium-term Goals:
- Reduce CO2 emissions 65% by 2028, 85% by 2032
- Achieve 50% renewable energy by 2030, 60% by 2035
Short-term Goals:
- Reduce water withdrawal by 40% (from 2005 baseline) in 2023, 65% by 2028, 90% by 2032
Environmental Challenges
- Climate change impacts in Michigan
- Accelerating challenge of providing reliable, cleaner, and affordable energy
- Impending retirements and skilled trades gaps in the workforce
- Maintaining customer affordability while investing in clean energy
- Managing risks associated with environmental and social initiatives
Mitigation Strategies
- Investing billions in cleaner energy generation, a more resilient grid, and natural gas infrastructure improvements
- Accelerating coal plant retirements and investing in renewable energy
- Developing energy storage and building a smarter, stronger, and more resilient electric grid
- Implementing energy efficiency programs for customers
- Securing long-term, low-cost contracts for fuel
- Working with community partners to provide energy assistance to vulnerable customers
- Implementing a comprehensive talent management strategy to attract and retain skilled workers
- Investing in employee training and development
- Promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Implementing a robust risk governance framework
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Supplier code of conduct
- Prioritization of local and diverse spending
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Extreme weather
Transition Risks
- Regulatory changes
- Market shifts
Opportunities
- Development of energy-efficient products and services
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI, SASB, TCFD
Certifications: Wildlife Habitat Council
Third-party Assurance: None