Winds of change as Mars goes 100% renewable in Mexico from wind farm in Yucatán - News | RE100 Skip to main content

Winds of change as Mars goes 100% renewable in Mexico from wind farm in Yucatán - News

3 May 2019, 0:00 UTC 2 min read

RE100 member Mars, Inc. is set to be powered by 100% renewable electricity for its operations in Mexico, as the company signs a new power purchase agreement (PPA) for energy from a wind farm in Yucatán.

Mars was the one of the first members of RE100, the global business initiative on 100% renewable power, led by The Climate Group in partnership with CDP. The consumer goods giant set a target to achieve 100% renewable electricity globally by 2040, and its regional operations are already powering ahead on the goal. Nine locations beyond Mexico also run fully on clean power, including Poland, Spain, the US and Lithuania.

Amy Davidsen, Executive Director – North America, The Climate Group, said: “Congratulations to Mars which, as the first North American company to join RE100 nearly five years ago, continues to lead the way on renewable energy by investing in wind projects around the world.

“We are excited to learn of this new project in Yucatán, Mexico, a state government committed to reducing its emissions as part of the Under2 Coalition. Companies and local governments can work together to build renewable energy capacity, accelerate the shift away from fossil fuels, and tackle climate change.”

Eduardo González, Manufacturing Director for Mars Latin America, said “Mars is thrilled to be flipping the switch to wind energy. Today, here in Mexico, we are taking a stand on climate change. Among our goals: reducing GHG emissions across our global value chain by 27 percent by 2025 and 67 percent by 2050 in order to do our part to keep the planet from warming beyond two degrees.”

Mexican leadership across the board

Mars has signed its new PPA with Vive Energía and Envision Energy to supply the electricity required for its six Mexico-based confectionery and pet food facilities. The wind farm is located in Yucatan and will allow Mars Mexico to reduce its GHG emissions by 40% by 2020.

Yucatán is also a member of the Under2 Coalition – for which The Climate Group acts as Secretariat – alongside 15 other Mexican regions. In last year’s Annual Disclosure Report, Yucatán declared a target to reduce GHG emissions by 40% by 2030, from its 2005 level.

The state is also tackling the impacts of climate change through collaboration with peers. Yucatán, Quintana Roo and Campeche are all members of the Under2 Coalition and make up the Yucatán Peninsula.

They have signed an inter-state agreement to work together against the impacts of climate change by creating the Yucatan Peninsula Climate Action Fund, with the aim of attracting, managing and distributing funding for mitigation and adaptation to the impacts of climate change in the peninsula.

Read more about the RE100 initiative and the Under2 Coalition.