ALL REGIONS
Companies show commitment at CEM7
A new ‘Corporate Sourcing of Renewables’ campaign has been launched at the 7th Clean Energy Ministerial in San Francisco. Led by the Danish and German governments, the campaign aims to increase the number of companies powering their operations with renewable energy by encouraging them to make 100% renewable commitments and join RE100.
Also at CEM, six new companies joined RE100, including Dentsu Aegis Network, Equinix, Interface, Inc., TetraPak, TD Bank Group and Workday. Inc. By going 100% renewable, they will create demand for more than 4000 GWh of renewable electricity - more than San Francisco’s yearly electricity use.
Other RE100 companies also demonstrated their commitment to driving the transition to a low-carbon economy. Autodesk announced that it has reached its 100% goal and will now move towards procuring additional and local renewable energy. Google will be working with others to survey policy structures and make recommendations to further unlock corporate renewable energy demand. And Salesforce shared its journey to 100% renewables.
USA
Ambitions raised at REBA Summit
At the first Renewable Energy Buyers Alliance Summit, held at the Microsoft Campus in Redmond, Washington, participating companies agreed to expand their collective efforts beyond the US in 2016 and focus on corporate procurement in key economies. RE100 was recognized for pushing the renewables agenda and we are exploring how the campaign can partner with REBA to continue to grow the community of businesses going 100%.
EUROPE
RE100 praised at IRENA Innovation Week
During the International Renewable Energy Agency’s (IRENA) Innovation Week in Bonn, Germany, senior figures at IRENA referred to RE100 as a “driver for investment and decarbonization”, “an incredibly important initiative” and a “great opportunity to influence how the sector develops”. Adnan Amin, Director-General, Dolf Gielen, Head of Innovation, and Elizabeth Press, Director of Planning & Program Support, spoke to The Climate Group's Climate TV in three exclusive interviews highlighting how RE100 is helping to accelerate the transition to a low carbon economy.
Mars invests in UK wind power
RE100 company, Mars, Incorporated signed a new PPA and is now producing enough renewable electricity to power 100% of its UK operations. “This is a significant investment that makes business sense and offers a welcome boost for UK renewables. Being 100% renewable in both the UK and the US is no small feat,” said Emily Farnworth, RE100 Campaign Director, “We congratulate Mars on its huge success in slashing its greenhouse gas emissions.”
INDIA
Knowledge sharing
Shailesh Telang, Project Officer, CDP India, provided an overview of the renewable electricity market options available to businesses in India and presented four case studies of companies who have successfully implemented financially viable renewable electricity options. 45 participants from both global and Indian companies took part in the RE100 webinar.
LOOKING AHEAD
June 15: RE100 webinar (rescheduled): Overview of renewable energy options in the U.K. - Guest speakers from Regen SW and Osborne Clarke LLP will give an overview of the renewable energy market in the UK, how it is changing in response to government policy and the development of new technologies and business models.
June 28-29: Business & Climate Summit, London, U.K. - The Climate Group and core Summit partners will convene businesses and governments to agree a roadmap for reaching net-zero emissions over the next half century. For the latest on the summit click here. Invitations have now been sent for a separate RE100 side event to be held close to the BCS venue on June 29, 16:00-20:00hrs. We will bring together RE100 companies, prospects, partners and stakeholders to hear how leading companies in RE100 are overcoming challenges to deliver against their 100% goals, and going beyond their own operations to help deliver a low carbon economy. Speakers to be announced over the coming days. The panel discussion will be followed by a networking reception. For information about sponsorship opportunities contact Chris Brown, Head of Sponsorship & Business Development at The Climate Group: cbrown@theclimategroup.org
July 4: Weather: The Key Driver in European Energy, London, U.K. - The Weather Risk Management Association & Thomson Reuters will host this event designed to provide an in-depth look at wind, solar, temperature and hydro derivatives for traders and portfolio managers. Stuart Brown, Head of Orientation, Weather & Energy EMEA Asia-Pacific of Swiss Re will be speaking. For the full agenda and details on how to register for the event click here.
July 5: Joint RE100 - Business Renewables Center Marketplace webinar - More details to follow.
August 10-12: India Energy Access Summit (IEAS), New Delhi, India - The Climate Group and Clean Energy Access Network will host the IEAS 2016 in partnership with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. The summit will focus on financing energy access scale up as well as address the policy and regulatory framework for an enabling environment. RE100 companies will be invited to attend.
September 19: Signature Event, Climate Week NYC - This is The Climate Group’s global flagship event. Run annually for the last seven years, the event has become a milestone in the international climate calendar and a focal meeting point for leading governments, investors, businesses, innovators and opinion formers. There will be a RE100 side event on September 20. Sponsorship opportunities will be available. For information about sponsorship opportunities contact Chris Brown, Head of Sponsorship & Business Development at The Climate Group: cbrown@theclimategroup.org