Our Environment
We respect our environment, and we're committed to being an industry leader in its protection and stewardship.
Reducing Emissions
For decades, NextEra Energy has been reducing emissions through the development of renewable energy and modernization of its generation fleet. The company’s goal is to reduce its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions rate 67% by 2025, from a 2005 baseline. This equates to a nearly 40% reduction in absolute CO2 emissions, despite the company’s total expected electricity production almost doubling from 2005 to 2025. Working toward this goal, as of year-end 2019, NextEra Energy has reduced its CO2 rate by 52.2% and the absolute CO2 tons by 20.0% while our generation increased 67.5%. NextEra Energy expects to periodically update its CO2 emissions goal as it continues to execute on its strategy of being a leading clean energy infrastructure company.*
Investing in Clean Air
In 2019, our emissions rates of SO2, NOx and CO2 were 93%, 72% and 47% lower, respectively, than the average U.S. electric power sector.*
Leading the Industry
We continue to be the world's largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and sun.
Conserving Water
98% of the water we use is returned to its original source.
Protecting Wildlife
We are committed to interacting with nature in a positive manner and have developed wildlife programs to protect a number of species and their habitats.
Environmental Stewardship
We're committed to being an industry leader in environmental protection and stewardship. Our Environmental Policy establishes our core environmental expectations and provides actionable guidance for all employees as we strive to foster a culture of environmental excellence and challenge ourselves to continuously improve. Everyone at NextEra Energy understands that protecting the environment is a collective responsibility. It's why our senior executives are actively involved in our environmental accountability, management and stewardship programs that are intended to:
- Design, construct, operate and maintain our facilities in an environmentally sound and responsible manner.
- Prevent pollution, minimize waste and conserve natural resources.
- Avoid, minimize and/or mitigate impacts to habitat, wildlife and cultural resources.
- Engage local stakeholders and environmental agencies.
- Support local environmental education, conservation and research projects though NextEra Energy Foundation giving.
Renewable Energy
We are the world’s largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and the sun.
Renewable Energy
AIR AND WATER
We're committed to reducing our impact on air and water.
AIR AND WATER
WILDLIFE AND HABITAT
We're committed to the protection of wildlife.
WILDLIFE AND HABITAT
WASTE MANAGEMENT
We're minimizing our waste footprint.
WASTE MANAGEMENT
Managing and Mitigating Risk
Environmental risk management and mitigation are key drivers for ensuring safe and sustainable operations.
*The CO2 emissions goal is based on NextEra Energy’s owned generation. Achievement of the CO2 emissions goals will be dependent on many factors, including, but not limited to, governmental policy and mergers and acquisitions.
*Please note that the environmental attributes of NextEra Energy's electric generating facilities have been or likely will be sold or transferred to third parties, who are solely entitled to the reporting rights and ownership of the environmental attributes, such as renewable energy credits, emissions reductions, offsets, allowances and the avoided emission of greenhouse gases.
*All metrics in this section are as of year-end 2019 unless otherwise noted.