Big Companies Commit to RE100

More big brands have committed to sourcing 100% of their electricity from renewable sources. The initiative by The Climate Group is called RE100 and now has 53 members including BMW, Coca-cola, Google, Ikea, Adobe, ING, Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft, Nestle, Nike, Philips, P&G, Starbucks, Unilever, Walmart and many more.

According to their website, RE100 is a collaborative initiative of influential businesses committed to 100% renewable electricity, working to massively increase corporate demand for renewable energy. It may not sound like much but just these 53 companies alone account for 1% of the electricity used by industry globally – this is enough electricity to power Hong Kong and Singapore combined. Once 100% renewable, this 1% of global industry electricity will save approximately 56 million tonnes of CO2 each year.

“Many companies are switching to renewable power at a remarkable rate, and encouraging their suppliers and customers to do the same,” said Emily Farnworth, RE100 Campaign Director at The Climate Group.

“Our analysis of the private sector’s electricity consumption and carbon emissions indicated that a switch to power from renewable sources could cut global CO2 by nearly 15%.”

RE100 says that these 53 companies account for 0.4% of global electricity demand and if 1000 companies joined, it would account for 8.1% – in addition, it would save around 1080 million tonnes of CO2 annually – more than the emissions of the whole of Africa!

“It is exciting to have massive, mainstream organisations such as Coca-Cola, BMW and IKEA jump on board with the global trend and commit to powering their business by 100% renewable energy,” said National Director Claire O’Rourke from Solar Citizens.

“A growing number of companies are ready to play their part in accelerating the world’s move to renewables. Will the Australian government follow their lead?”