Corporate Responsibility: For the Environment
At The Principal, we are proud of our increased efforts to reduce our carbon footprint. In 2007, we began using the EPA Energy Star program to track greenhouse gas emissions on a monthly basis.
The program tracks emissions associated with our office functions and compares them to emissions of similar office users. In 2008, the Energy Star program concluded that the carbon footprint of The Principal was 30 percent lower than the target footprint of similar office users.
In addition to monitoring emissions, we’re taking the following steps to protect the environment:
- Using outdoor air to cool many of our buildings saves enough energy annually to heat and cool 330 homes.
- Retrofitting lighting in all buildings helps reduce energy consumption.
- Employee subsidies for public transportation and ride share programs encourage the use of mass transit.
- A company-wide recycling program collects paper, glass, plastic and metal.
- Utilizing native and drought-resistant plants helps reduce water usage for landscaping.
- Installation of state-of-the-art teleconferencing systems encourages tele-meetings instead of plane or car travel.
- Delivering 2008 annual meeting materials to shareholders electronically, saved more than 1,000 trees.
Environmentally Conscious Projects
The Principal Riverwalk
The Principal Riverwalk, a community improvement project along the banks of the Des Moines River, ties together many amenities that emphasize and preserve the natural habitat in Des Moines. Working closely with the State Department of Natural Resources, the project encourages outdoor recreation through pedestrian and bicycle paths, parks and plazas. The space features more than 240 new trees and landscaping made of native plantings. Find out more about The Principal Riverwalk.
Principal Child Development Center
Our new Principal Child Development Center is expected to be the first U.S. Green Building Council LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified building in Des Moines. The Center includes the use of recycled and reused materials like cork flooring, ceiling tiles made of sunflower seeds and a desk made of recycled paper. Environmentally friendly practices are incorporated into the learning curriculum, ensuring the children attending the center understand the importance of conservation and the environment.
