2020 Impact Report
A year of adaptation and unwavering commitment.
“Adaptation and resilience. These were what 2020 tested us on, and we responded. We had to show up differently – for our clients, for each other, for racial justice, for our communities. The year brought the social and economic devastation of the pandemic, systemic racism, and climate change events into sharp focus. The shifts VEIC made in the pursuit of our vision—Healthy Planet, Thriving People—made us a stronger organization and prepared us to take on the inevitable challenges ahead. I am incredibly proud of VEIC’s performance in 2020 and of our unwavering commitment to generating the energy solutions the world needs.”
Finding opportunity in the challenges of 2020
Within every challenge we build opportunity
Remaining resilient during a global pandemic
Covid-19 required unprecedented ingenuity and flexibility. VEIC adapted to a fully remote environment and evolved our programs to keep our communities safe and meet our clients’ changing needs.
Advancing equitable energy solutions in the face of systemic injustices
From the murder of George Floyd; to the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on people of color; to increasing wealth disparity, systemic injustices were highly visible in 2020. Since our founding, VEIC has been committed to delivering solutions to overburdened and underserved communities, last year was no exception.
Deploying decarbonization strategies as climate events become more severe
In 2020 we experienced more extreme weather events than ever before. As the need for climate change mitigation becomes more urgent, we’re focusing on decarbonization. In 2020 the new VEIC brand launched which was built around this commitment.
Our resilience resulted in one of our healthiest financial years and a more supportive, productive culture.
Our values prompted us to establish new norms and goals internally and externally to advance energy justice in 2020.
Our climate imperative drove us to find clarity in how we support our clients in meeting their audacious and necessary environmental goals.
To secure the health of our people and planet we must go further, faster.
To secure the health of our people and planet we must go further, faster.
Our work in 2020 resulted in the reduction of 1,271,707 total lifetime metric tons of CO2e.
Our Clean Energy Programs were offered to over 480,000 people.
Over half of our program benefits were deployed in socially vulnerable communities.
Our Clean Energy Programs served 9,042 low-income customers.
We served 65 clients across 25 states and provinces through our consulting work.
Our work since 2000, over the lifetime of efficiency and renewable energy investments, will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by
107,950,000 Metric Tons
That's equivalent to the electrical use of 19.6 million homes in one year.Making an impact within each dimension of energy.
Our services are designed to address all aspects of clean and sustainable energy solutions. With the help of our deep expertise across the energy system, our clients are able to achieve their goals now and for years to come.
Energy Efficiency
A cornerstone of decarbonization, our energy efficiency services are evolving to meet the moment.
Building Decarbonization
From multifamily homes to largescale manufacturing operations, we’re helping remove carbon from buildings across North America.
Transportation Electrification
We can’t take on climate change without electrifying our buses and fleets. Our programs demonstrate the benefits of fuel switching.
Clean and Flexible Grid
Addressing increased demand and envisioning a pathway to a net zero future requires creative thinking and data-driven planning. We bring both to every client conversation.
We bring equitable decarbonization solutions to the people that need them most.
Equitable decarbonization solutions in 2020
Programs redesigned in response to Covid-19
To alleviate increased burdens on low-income customers, small and medium businesses, and nonprofit organizations, we shifted our customer engagement strategies, expanded our virtual offerings, and established new methods of delivering decarbonization services.
Learn More
Equitable decarbonization solutions in 2020
Analyzing energy affordability
A first step toward developing equitable energy solutions is building a greater understanding of the impacts and sources of cost burdens. We analyzed spending on residential building energy and transportation in Connecticut to identify the most burdened communities and to determine what contributed most to their expenses.
Learn More
Equitable decarbonization solutions in 2020
Electrification solutions for low- and moderate-income residents
VEIC was selected to support the development of a roadmap that identifies strategies and programs for electrifying residential spaces in New York, with a focus on single and multi-family housing for low- and moderate-income residents.
Learn MoreAccelerating the clean energy transformation requires proven innovation and scalable solutions.
Innovative decarbonization solutions in 2020
Cutting carbon from refrigeration systems
The grocery industry has many opportunities to incorporate energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We identified impactful areas to decarbonize grocery operations and designed an efficient system using natural refrigerants for a growing grocery company.
Learn More
Innovative decarbonization solutions in 2020
Strategic energy management for improved manufacturing
Through our Strategic Energy Management program, our clients were able to integrate specific energy-saving techniques and improvements into manufacturing processes to boost energy efficiency and make a measurable impact on their energy consumption.
Learn More
Innovative decarbonization solutions in 2020
New programming for transit bus procurement
VEIC was selected by the Federal Transit Administration to deliver a pilot program that will improve the way transit agencies acquire new vehicles, including electric transit buses.
Learn MoreA New Way Forward
As we look ahead to the remainder of 2021 and the years ahead, our imperative is clear. We must accelerate the development of innovative, effective, and human-centered decarbonization solutions. We’re setting our sights on where we can effect the most change:
Justice
Creating a more just and equitable world by ensuring that we serve marginalized people and dismantle systemic oppression.
Urgency
Leading the way in the delivery of decarbonization solutions with the goal of rapidly reducing GHG emissions to mitigate climate change.
Partnerships
Building a culture of passionate people and partners working to make a thriving, sustainable world a reality.