Best Buy, Inc. (NYSE: BBY) is jumping on the green bandwagon with an announcement similar to that of retailer Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) in the last 18 months or so. The largest consumer electronics retailer in the U.S. has said it plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions per square foot by 8% for all its U.S. retail locations and operations buildings by 2012. Considering Best Buy has over 1,100 store locations around the U.S. plus plenty of distribution centers, that's quite an effort as 2012 is only three years away.

Best Buy decided to quantify its greenhouse gas emissions on a per square foot basis so that it could be measured as the retail chain continues to grow its store and sales count. Currently, the retailer emits about 62 pounds of greenhouse gases per square foot, mostly due to electricity use (77%) and heating/ventilation/air conditioning (13%).

The retailer will use newer, high-efficiency lighting and air handling systems in addition to skylights, all geared towards reaching the 8% reduction goal by 2012. If all retailers were to invest in this kind of energy reduction and greenhouse gas emission reduction, progress could certainly be made in sending less carbon dioxide into the earth's atmosphere. But Best Buy has the growth, the newer stores and the gumption to pull this off easily.

Other retailers probably could care less as they struggle to just stay afloat and compete with retailers like Wal-Mart and Best Buy. Best Buy President and COO Brian Dunn said "This commitment to reduce our emissions signals our willingness to invest in even more efficient operations today, which will save money over time and help us to meet the expectations of our customers, employees, and shareholders."