US-based multinational software corporation Autodesk has become the 20th leading business from around the world to take part in RE100. The design software developer, which is headquartered in California, USA and has 8,800 employees worldwide, announced its commitment to the campaign as part of the launch of its 2015 sustainability report.
Autodesk has set a target to source 100% of its power from renewable sources by 2020 or sooner.
The company has already reduced its carbon footprint by 27% since 2009, in-line with its science-based target, C-FACT. In 2015, the use of renewable energy in its real estate portfolio accounted for 40% of its global electricity consumption – up from 33% the previous year.
Autodesk’s Chief Executive Officer prioritizes this agenda. “Of all the social and environmental challenges we face, none is more pressing than climate change,” said Carl Bass, CEO of Autodesk in the recently released Sustainability Report 2015. In support of this, he also said “I am excited to announce that we are committing to power our business with 100 percent renewable energy.”
Autodesk is the second influential US company to join the RE100 initiative since it was launched during Climate Week NYC in September 2014, joining Mars Incorporated, which has committed to going 100% renewable by 2040.
Amy Davidsen, Executive Director of the US office of The Climate Group, which leads the RE100 campaign, said it was an exciting time and that she expects to see more innovative US brands coming on board this year: “It’s fantastic to have an innovative US brand like Autodesk on board the RE100 campaign. With the cost of renewable energy falling, US companies are increasingly opting for clean, local energy supplied at competitive prices. The business case is clear – and 100% renewable power is within reach.”
RE100 aims to get the world’s most influential companies signed up to 100% renewable power, within a specified timeline. 20 companies have now joined the campaign, making a public commitment to go 100% renewable. These include Autodesk, BT Group, Commerzbank, Elion Resources, Formula E, H&M, IKEA Group, Infosys, KPN, Mars, Marks & Spencer, Nestlé, Philips, Reed Elsevier Group, J. Safra Sarasin Bank, SAP, SGS, Swiss Re, Unilever, and YOOX Group. Find out more about the campaign at TheRE100.org