Report on Consumers Energy’s Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals via Energy Reduction Programs

Executive Summary

A report from Consumers Energy, dated July 21, 2025, details the significant impact of its customer energy-saving programs initiated in 2009. The cumulative energy savings through 2024 are equivalent to the annual output of 18 natural gas power plants. These initiatives directly support several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), primarily focusing on affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), sustainable communities (SDG 11), responsible consumption (SDG 12), and climate action (SDG 13). The programs enhance grid reliability, promote energy affordability, and empower customers to contribute to a sustainable energy future.

Alignment with SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

Consumers Energy’s programs are central to achieving the targets of SDG 7. By focusing on energy waste reduction, the company advances Target 7.3, which aims to double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.

• Energy Efficiency: The reduction in overall consumption and peak load demand obviates the need for constructing additional power generation facilities, contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable energy infrastructure.
• Affordability: The programs are designed to lower customer utility bills, making energy more affordable. Tailored support for income-qualified customers ensures equitable access to energy-saving benefits, directly supporting the goal of universal access to affordable energy.

Advancing SDG 11 and SDG 12: Sustainable Communities and Responsible Consumption

The initiatives foster the development of resilient infrastructure and promote sustainable consumption patterns, key tenets of SDG 11 and SDG 12.

1. Grid Reliability: According to Sri Maddipati, Senior Vice President, reducing energy consumption is essential for maintaining a strong and dependable grid. This enhances the resilience of community infrastructure (Target 11.5).
2. Responsible Consumption: Customers are incentivized to shift energy use to off-peak hours and reduce overall waste. This partnership between the utility and its customers fosters a culture of responsible energy consumption (Target 12.2).

Customer Empowerment Programs

Consumers Energy provides a suite of programs that empower customers to manage their energy use effectively and contribute to collective sustainability goals. These offerings include:

• Appliance Recycling Program
• Smart Thermostat Program
• Home Energy Analysis
• Water Heater Rebates
• Demand Response incentives for shifting summer energy use

A personalized portal, “My Personalized Offerings,” allows customers to identify programs best suited to their household needs, further promoting accessibility and participation.

Strategic Outlook and Commitment to Climate Action (SDG 13)

The company’s forward-looking supply plan integrates a diversified mix of generation resources with customer-side demand management. This strategic approach directly supports SDG 13 by reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering associated greenhouse gas emissions. Lauren Snyder, Senior Vice President, affirmed the company’s commitment to delivering reliable energy while keeping bills as low as possible. By promoting energy efficiency on a large scale, Consumers Energy actively contributes to climate change mitigation efforts within its service area, which covers 6.8 million residents in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  The article is centered on energy. It discusses providing “safe, reliable and affordable power,” promoting energy efficiency through “energy savings programs,” and reducing overall consumption. These actions directly support the goal of ensuring access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy for all.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

  The article highlights the importance of a stable and modern energy infrastructure. It mentions supporting the “long-term reliability of the electric grid” and building a “smarter, more resilient energy future,” which aligns with the goal of developing quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  The core message of the article is to encourage wiser energy use. By promoting “energy waste reduction programs” and rewarding customers for shifting energy use, Consumers Energy is fostering patterns of responsible consumption among its 6.8 million customers.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  By reducing energy consumption, the programs help “avoid the need to build or run additional generating resources,” specifically mentioning the savings equivalent to the output of “18 natural gas power plants.” This reduction in reliance on fossil fuels and overall energy use is a direct climate action, as acknowledged by the statement that these programs are “good for the planet.”

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 7.1: By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services.

   The article states that Consumers Energy is “committed to delivering reliable, flexible, and affordable energy to our customers 24/7” and works to keep “bills as low as possible.” It also mentions providing electricity to “6.8 million of the state’s 10 million residents,” demonstrating a focus on access and affordability.

2. Target 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.

   This is the most prominent target in the article. The entire piece focuses on “energy savings programs” and “energy waste reduction programs” designed to help customers “use energy more wisely.” Specific examples like the Appliance Recycling program, Smart Thermostat program, and Home Energy Analysis are all direct efforts to improve energy efficiency.

3. Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.

   The article emphasizes that energy savings are “essential to keeping our grid strong and dependable” and contribute to the “long-term reliability of the electric grid.” This shows a clear focus on maintaining and improving the resilience and reliability of energy infrastructure.

4. Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.

   The programs described aim to reduce the overall consumption of energy, which is a natural resource. The article states that “how it’s used matters” and promotes reducing “overall consumption” through various customer initiatives, directly aligning with the efficient use of resources.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicator for Target 7.3 (Energy Efficiency):

   The article provides a clear, quantifiable indicator of progress. It states that “since the launch of energy waste reduction programs in 2009 through 2024, energy savings from both gas and electric initiatives have totaled the annual output of 18 natural gas power plants.” This is a direct measurement of the impact of the energy efficiency programs.

2. Indicator for Target 7.1 (Access to Energy):

   An indicator for access is explicitly mentioned: Consumers Energy provides “natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state’s 10 million residents.” This quantifies the proportion of the population in their service area with access to their energy services.

3. Indicator for Target 12.2 (Responsible Consumption):

   The article implies progress through the implementation and variety of its programs. The existence of the “Appliance Recycling program, Smart Thermostat program, Home Energy Analysis, and Water Heater rebates” serves as a qualitative indicator of the actions being taken to encourage sustainable consumption patterns among customers.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Summary

Source: prnewswire.com