Led by international non profit The Climate Group in partnership with CDP, RE100 brings together influential businesses committed to 100% renewable electricity to accelerate change toward zero carbon electricity grids.
Government support for renewables is vital for accelerating the shift to renewable energy in markets such as Japan, where it is currently difficult for companies to access affordable supply.
The MoD announced its endorsement of RE100 in a press conference in Tokyo with Defence Minister Taro Kono. The Minister said he recognized that climate change was a problem that the MoD must tackle, and committed to switching to 100% renewable electricity for the MoD’s property portfolio.
This is the third government ministry in Japan to sign up as an RE100 Ambassador, following the Ministries of Environment and Foreign Affairs which signed up last year. All three agree to promote corporate sourcing of renewables and advocate for clean energy policy.
“We are delighted to welcome the Ministry of Defence as the third Japanese government RE100 Ambassador,”
“We are delighted to welcome the Ministry of Defence as the third Japanese government RE100 Ambassador,”
“Government support is crucial in order to promote and advocate for renewable energy in Japan. This gesture of commitment to RE100 will help unlock corporate sourcing and drive forward the clean energy transition in Japan and beyond.”
Also on World Environment Day, four more leading companies are making the RE100 pledge.
ONO Pharmaceutical, one of Japan's largest pharmaceuticals, commits to reaching 100% renewable electricity by 2050. In addition to introducing solar power generation and purchasing green power certificates, ONO is sourcing energy from hydroelectric power generation. ONO is the first Japanese pharmaceutical company to join RE100.
“At Ono, we aim for a healthier and sounder society. We regard this as the last opportunity to pass on a rich and healthy society to the next generation,” says Gyo Sagara, President, Representative Director, and CEO, ONO PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD.
“Joining the RE100 initiative is our important step to achieve our goals, and with this as an opportunity, we would like to support each other among members and achieve global renewable energy goals.”
There are now 35 of Japan’s most influential corporations signed up to RE100. Japanese businesses and policymakers are increasingly recognizing the importance of renewables in creating a clean, low cost and secure energy future.
Elsewhere, Continental, a German technology company, commits to sourcing 100% renewable electricity by 2040.
Dr Elmar Degenhart, CEO, Continental, comments, “Continental is fully committed to the Paris climate agreement and our goal is to have a CO2-neutral value chain. As a technology company we are convinced that this is achievable. Our production processes will be CO2-neutral by 2040 and our supply chains and product usage by 2050.”
Online e-commerce provider Zalando aims to reach 100% renewable electricity by 2025 by equipping its warehouses in Europe with solar panels and increasing the use of power purchase agreements.
Kate Heiny, Director Sustainability, Zalando, says, "Joining RE100 is a natural step for us, as we have committed to sourcing 100% renewable electricity by 2025 as part of our do.MORE sustainability strategy and our science-based targets. We look forward to exchanging experiences and learnings with other like-minded businesses."
Novozymes, the world's largest provider of enzyme and microbial technologies, also joins RE100 today, committing to target 100% renewable power by 2030.
For the full list of 240 RE100 members click here. To find out more about corporate leadership across the clean energy transition on World Environment Day, click here.