Introducing Target Forward: Our Plan to Co-Create An Equitable and Regenerative Future For All

When it comes to Target’s vision for our business, founder George Draper Dayton summed it up best:

“Success is making ourselves useful in the world, valuable to society, helping in lifting the level of humanity, so conducting ourselves that when we go, the world will be somewhat better of our having lived the brief span of our lives.”

Dayton shared that sentiment nearly 90 years ago, but his belief in the link between Target’s success and our positive impact on people and the planet still fuels our business today. And now, we’re building on that strong legacy of corporate responsibility with a new sustainability strategy we’re calling Target Forward, with the aim to co-create a more equitable and regenerative future with our guests, partners and communities. Take a look:

“As a company and a member of the global community, it’s imperative for the health of both our business and our planet that we embrace new ways to move forward,” said Brian Cornell, chairman and chief executive officer of Target. “We know sustainability is tied to business resiliency and growth, and that our size and scale can drive change that is good for all. Target Forward influences every corner of our business, deepens our collaboration with our partners and builds on our past efforts to ensure a better future for generations to come.”

How will we co-create a more equitable and regenerative future? Here’s a closer look at our ambitions and the goals that’ll help us get there:

Building on our legacy of supporting people and planet

Sustainability and inclusivity are already part of who we are, and Target Forward marks a new era for our company, one where every team member will have an important role to play. And we’re building on great momentum, including these recent initiatives:

• We’ve already designed a number of our owned brands to feature sustainably sourced or recycled materials — including Everspring, Universal Thread and All In Motion — and we've trained more than 2,000 team members on circular design principles to carry that work forward.
• In 2019, we set science-based targets to reduce our emissions as well as those throughout our supply chain. And we just committed to join the Business Ambition for 1.5°C, helping ensure that our emissions won’t contribute to atmospheric warming of more than 1.5 degrees.
• Earlier this year, we secured three new solar and wind energy contracts that, together with our existing partnerships, mean we’ll purchase nearly 50% of Target’s electricity from renewable sources once these projects are operational.
• We’ve made strides in our social justice efforts as well with the guidance of our Racial Equity Action and Change committee, including committing $2 billion to support Black-owned businesses and launching our Target Scholars program for 1,000 students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
• And as always, we remain committed to our team. In 2020, we invested an additional $1 billion in the health, safety and well-being of our team members, including implementing a $15 hourly starting wage in the U.S.