The Climate Group’s RE100 initiative reached its 100 members milestone as AkzoNobel, AXA, Burberry plc and Carlsberg Group joined with a commitment to 100% renewable power.
RE100 members, including 30 Global Fortune 500 companies, have a total revenue of U.S. $2.5 trillion and operate in a diverse range of sectors. Together the companies are creating around 146 TWh annually.
RE100 is delivered with CDP to engage, support and showcase large, influential businesses transitioning to 100% renewable electricity across their global operations.
RE100 members, including 30 Global Fortune 500 companies, have a total revenue of U.S. $2.5 trillion and operate in a diverse range of sectors – from Information Technology to automobile manufacturing.
Together, they are creating around 146 terawatt-hours (TWh) in demand for renewable electricity annually – about as much as it takes to power Poland.
AkzoNobel became the second biggest electricity user to join RE100 after Walmart, consuming around 16 TWh annually. The Dutch paints and coatings company aims to be carbon neutral and use 100% renewable energy – heat as well as electricity – by 2050.
French insurance company AXA is targeting 100% renewable electricity by 2025. Operating in more than 60 countries with diverse energy markets, AXA intends to achieve this target by using a mix of approaches, notably buying electricity directly from providers and compensating for non-renewable electricity.
Global luxury fashion brand Burberry is aiming to procure 100% of electricity from renewable resources to power its whole business by 2022. The Carlsberg Group, one of the world’s biggest brewers, is switching to 100% renewable electricity at its breweries by 2022, as a step toward its target to become carbon neutral in 2030.
“We are really pleased at the success of our campaign; by championing the compelling case for business action, we have reached 100 members three years earlier than expected,” said Helen Clarkson, CEO, The Climate Group. “Changes in the market such as the falling cost of renewables have also worked in our favor.
Clarkson added: “We are increasingly seeing large multinationals such as Google, IKEA and Dalmia Cement demonstrating real leadership on renewables because it makes business sense – as well as helping to lower emissions, providing stable energy costs and increasing competitiveness.
“We are now calling on companies to go one step further, and inspire their suppliers and peers to follow their lead so that together, we can speed the transition from fossil fuels to renewables to keep warming well under two degrees Celsius,” she concluded.
“Transitioning to 100% renewable electricity through RE100 shows true leadership in our new sustainable economy. It’s hugely encouraging that so many members are reporting clear progress, and fast,” Paul Simpson, Chief Executive Officer, CDP. “Following the vital steps of disclosure and insight on climate change activities, action is key to ensuring we move the global energy system to a tipping point by 2020.”
Hart added, “Through RE100, we are joining forces with other like-minded companies, which are also leading the change toward a low-carbon future. Switching to 100% renewable electricity offers a holistic business case with financial, social and environmental benefits. Hopefully together, we can inspire others to step up and do the same.”
For more information on The Climate Group’s milestone, click here.
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