BMW Group, Coca-Cola Enterprises and several other major brands have announced they will source 100% of their electricity from renewable energy sources.
The companies take the total number of The Climate Group’s RE100 members to 53; joining other iconic brands including Microsoft, Adobe and Google.
According to The Climate Group, just these 53 companies represent 1% of electricity used by industry globally – enough to power Hong Kong and Singapore combined.
Once these companies are 100% renewable energy powered, it will save around 56 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year. If 1,000 of the world’s most influential companies became fully powered by renewable electricity, it would avoid more than the emissions of all of Africa; around 1,080 million tonnes every 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%.”
Australia’s Solar Citizens welcomed the latest announcements.
“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.
“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?”
Ms. O’Rourke says the global renewables sector is living up to its potential as a worldwide jobs growth powerhouse and Australia cannot risk missing out.
Companies making the switch to energy sources such as solar power are increasingly finding it’s a no-brainer decision. It not only makes for great public relations and helps them to achieve their emissions targets; but solar electricity can also be cheaper than power from the mains grid.
A growing number of Australian companies are installing commercial solar power systems under various arrangements – through outright purchasing or solar PPA and leasing agreements whereby the benefits are reaped, but initial capital outlay and the burden of system ownership is either minimised or avoided.
