Fifth Third Bank in VBT wins Michigan Battle of the Buildings

Fifth Third Bank financial centers in Belleville (Van Buren Township) and Benton Harbor were awarded first and second place in the category of financial institutions in the Michigan Battle of the Buildings. This program recognizes buildings across the state for energy use reduction.
The buildings that demonstrated the greatest percentage-based reduction in EUI (energy use intensity) during the 2018 competition were recognized as winners at the 2019 Energy Summit on April 25 in Grand Rapids.
The Fifth Third Belleville financial center reduced its energy needs by 19% in 2018, earning it first place, while the Benton Harbor financial center reduced its energy needs by 14% percent, earning that site second place.
Fifth Third also won first and second place in the Battle of the Buildings last year for its Westland and Plymouth financial centers.
“As a large owner and operator of facilities, Fifth Third views improving energy efficiency as a tool to reduce costs, energy use and environmental impacts,” said Jeremy Faust, environmental sustainability leader, Fifth Third Bank. “Participating in the Michigan Battle of the Buildings is a fun way to increase our focus on energy savings and learn from our peers about energy solutions to help us meet our own reduction goals.”
In June 2017, Fifth Third announced its first sustainability goals that seek to promote a healthy and sustainable environment and help protect the planet for future generations. Goals include reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions by 25%; reducing landfill waste and water usage by 20%; and purchasing 100% renewable power.
Since 2014, the Bank’s energy use is down 14% and water use is down 17%. Further, Fifth Third has already reduced its greenhouse gas emissions 28%, exceeding its corporate goal four years ahead of schedule.
Fifth Third has also become a leader in renewable power. In 2018, the company announced that it had signed a contract to purchase 100% solar power. Using this contract, a solar developer is currently building an 80 megawatt solar facility in North Carolina. When it comes online, the clean, renewable power from this project will help Fifth Third become the first Fortune 500 Company to purchase 100% solar power, achieving another of its bold sustainability goals several years early.
As a testament to Fifth Third’s leadership, the company received the 2018 Business Leadership in Clean Energy Award from the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association. This recognition was for both its 100% solar contract and the strong leadership of the Fifth Third Renewable Energy Finance Group, which has helped build a “clean energy economy that benefits all North Carolinians.”
Since announcing the solar contract in 2018, Fifth Third leaders have been invited to present at renewable energy and climate leadership conferences nationwide to share the Bank’s journey to contracting for 100% solar and inspire other companies to follow its lead.
The Michigan Battle of the Buildings is an awards and recognition program for energy-use reduction open to all Michigan area commercial, industrial and multi-family buildings. The program is a way to encourage energy-efficient practices in buildings across the state and to instill a spirit of friendly competition among the area’s building owners and operators.