One month before the global climate talks in Paris, France’s national mail service La Poste has become the first French company to join RE100, making an ambitious public commitment to being 100% powered by renewable electricity by 2020.
La Poste is buying 100% electricity from renewable sources to supply its 1,300 major sites, which account for two-thirds of its postal building power consumption.
The company’s switch to a renewable electricity tariff will help La Poste meet its target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 15% from 2013 to 2020, and ensure its growing fleet of 28,000+ electric vehicles will be run on renewable energy.
Philippe Wahl, Chairman and CEO of Le Groupe La Poste said: “Corporate responsibility underpins all action at Le Groupe La Poste. Our strategic plan ‘La Poste 2020: conquering the future’ cements this commitment, which was made thirty years ago now, and tailors it to meet new societal issues, specifically for climate changes issues.”
As well as boosting reputations, going 100% renewable helps companies to meet climate targets, secure energy supplies, reduce risk and make cost savings over the long term. It also helps to increase corporate demand for renewable energy, helping to shift the global energy market away from fossil fuels.
Businesses have been showing clear support for renewable energy ahead of the crucial international climate talks in Paris, with the recent addition of major companies to the RE100 campaign during Climate Week NYC, and more joining the American Business Act on Climate.
Mark Kenber, CEO of The Climate Group said: “Yet again business is signalling its strong support for renewable energy as we approach the global climate talks in Paris. Companies are looking to governments to provide ambitious, stable policies that make it easier for them to make long term investments in renewables and drive forward a low carbon economy.”
39 companies have now joined the RE100 campaign, including Alstria; Autodesk; Aviva; BT Group; Commerzbank; DSM; Elion Resources Group; Formula E; Givaudan; Goldman Sachs; H&M; IKEA Group; Infosys; Johnson & Johnson; J. Safra Sarasin; Kingspan; KPN; La Poste; Land Securities; Marks & Spencer; Mars, Incorporated; Nestlé; Nike, Inc.; Philips; Procter & Gamble; Proximus; RELX Group; Salesforce; SAP; SGS; Starbucks; Steelcase; Swiss Re; UBS; Unilever; Vaisala; Voya Financial; Walmart, YOOX Group.