COP23 showcases the best of business climate action
RE100 had a strong presence at COP23. We facilitated speaking slots for Mars, Microsoft, Philips Lighting and Ricoh, and announced HSBC, Mace and Organic Valley as new members. We also promoted progress updates, with Wells Fargo reaching 100% renewable power, DSM announcing it would soon be 40% renewable in the US, and Microsoft pledging to cut its carbon emissions by 75% by 2030. The Climate Group’s Mike Peirce shared his thoughts on how leading businesses are shaping a cleaner economy through RE100 and its sibling campaigns EV100 (electric vehicles) and EP100 (energy productivity).
Why a joined-up approach to reducing emissions makes business sense
Founding RE100 member Swiss Re blogged about the millions of dollars it is saving annually through renewable power and The Climate Group's energy productivity campaign EP100, while RE100 member Dalmia Cement announced at COP23 that it was already almost half way to meeting its EP100 goal.
New guidance to help companies engage suppliers
We launched new RE100 guidance to help companies to integrate renewable electricity into their supply chains. This was welcomed by Apple’s Lisa Jackson, who was speaking to Washington Post Live. Sam Kimmins, Head of RE100, blogged on how members such as Apple, BT Group, IKEA, Mars and Walmart are already leaders in this area, and reflected on the need for further action.
Influencing EU Policy
Ahead of key discussions at the Council of the European Union in December, we recently became a founding partner of the new RE-Source platform to promote a better framework for renewable energy sourcing at EU and national level.
Seminar held in Japan on RE100
RE100 members Ricoh, Sekisui House and Unilever spoke at a seminar held by Japan-CLP in Tokyo, Japan, attended by more than 100 people including corporate energy buyers and sellers. The seminar raised awareness of RE100, shared best practice, and discussed current global renewable energy trends including falling costs.
Pilot scheme to be launched in China
China announced it will drastically curb curtailment in efforts to achieve 15% renewable energy in its total energy mix by 2020 and 20% by 2030. It will also launch a pilot scheme from February 2018, under which distributed power generators will be incentivised to trade directly with consumers or power selling companies. For information contact Li Yin, LYin@theclimategroup.org.
Dates for your diaries
November 24, 2017: RE100 peer-to-peer learning webinar with Infosys - Deepan Prakash Devadoss, Senior Associate Manager, Green Initiatives at Infosys will present the company's renewable electricity sourcing strategy.
December 7, 2017: RE100-BRC webinar with the Dutch wind consortium - Four RE100 and BRC members, AkzoNobel, Google, Royal DSM, and Royal Philips, have set up a consortium in the Netherlands to jointly sign Power Purchase Agreements with large wind projects. Speakers from these four companies will share their story and tip for executing successful aggregation deals.
December 12, 2018: One Planet Summit, Paris, France - Two years on from the conclusion of the Paris Agreement, French President Emmanuel Macron will hold a summit on climate mobilisation.
January 23-26, 2018: The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting will see the launch of the RE100 Annual Report.
February 12-13, 2018: The Climate Group and the Clean Energy Access Network will run the third India Energy Access Summit bringing together stakeholders to identify emerging sectoral needs and innovation and business opportunities.