Companies including Goldman Sachs, Walmart and Starbucks joined an alliance on Wednesday that aims to get 100 per cent of electricity from renewable sources to combat climate change.
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All the firms have pledged to secure all their electricity from renewable sources, although the time periods for achieving the new target varies by company.
The nine new RE100 members join the likes of IKEA, Unilever and Marks & Spencer, which have all previously committed to sourcing all their power from renewables.
With support from more companies each day, and with governments and religious leaders such as Pope Francis helping spread the gospel, the shared global responsibility to tackle climate change is clearly gaining momentum ahead of COP21. Among the firms which also signed up for this year-old effort are Johnson & Johnson, Procter & Gamble and Goldman Sachs. “Lowering risk, protecting against price rises, saving millions and boosting brand is what shaping a low-carbon economy is all about”, Kenber said.
The Climate Group’s RE100 does not set a deadline for companies to meet their renewable energy goals, or impose consequences if they were not able have 100 percent achievement. Steelcase became 100 per cent powered by renewable electricity in 2014.
Eric Sprunk, Chief Operating Officer, NIKE, Inc. said: “Climate change is a global issue that requires global solutions”.
Kyung-Ah Park, Head of Environmental Markets Group of Goldman Sachs, said: “As a leading global financial institution, we have had a long standing commitment to finance and invest in clean energy around the world to help the transition to a low carbon economy”.
According to The Climate Group, there are 36 major businesses which now belong to the initiative.
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The Climate Group’s initiative, dubbed RE100, is an ambitious global scheme to engage influential companies in using 100 percent renewable power in their operations. In addition, life sciences and materials company Royal DSM joined RE100 earlier this week, while fragrance creator Givaudan and environmental and industrial measurement firm Vaisala joined last week.
