By Evolution Solar Sunshine Coast
The report, Power Forward, by Calvert Investments, Ceres and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) shows that the Global and Fortune 100 are committed to renewable energies and lowering their greenhouse gas emissions. With some getting specific ‘green’ targets to reach, it is a big step closer to achieving a 100% renewable energy powered world.
According to the report, 59% of Fortune 100 and nearly two thirds of the Global 100 have set renewable energy or greenhouse gas emission reduction commitments. The big businesses realize how important a renewable future is and they are not waiting for their governments to support or endorse the move. Being part of the Fortune and Global 100 means their businesses have a fair amount of clout globally and they can make a difference.
From the companies combined, 24 companies have made target specific goals, either in terms of a percentage of power usage to come from renewables, a certain capacity in megawatts or an amount of money invested. Some of these include;
• Caterpillar – 20% of power from renewable energies by 2020.
• General Motors – 125MW of renewable energy globally by 2020 and will commit to double solar power from 30MWs to 60MWs by 2015.
• HSBC Holdings – 40% renewable energies by 2020.
• Johnson & Johnson – 50MWs of renewable energy by 2015.
• Samsung electronics – install 2.4MWs by 2017.
In the report, the Microsoft Corporation said “we are hoping to demonstrate environmental responsibility at Microsoft with our commitment to be carbon neutral starting July 2012.”
In another report by the WWF, “Solar PV Atlas: Solar Power in Harmony With Nature,” was a study of six countries and a region was carried out to see how much land was necessary to power the world. It studied Indonesia, Madagascar, Mexico, Morocco, South Africa, Turkey and the Indian State of Madhya Pradesh. It stated that if the world was completely reliant on solar panels for electricity, it would only take 1% total land mass each to produce the forecasted demand in 2050.
The report further busts the myth that renewable energies require too much land to be feasible. It shows the worst case scenario – if they world was 100% renewable, solar pv would only represent around 30% so they amount of land needed will not be as much as the report suggests. It also bases its solar panel efficiency on 15% – technology today is already climbing above this figure and is no doubt going to carry on increasing more and more.
According to the University of Melbourne, it is possible for the world to go 100% renewable in as short as a decade. We just need the political support to do it.