BT, IKEA, Nestlé report to boost clean energy in private sector
RE100 group launch new report at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi on Monday with the aim of encouraging more companies to commit to becoming carbon neutral
BT, IKEA and Nestlé are among 15 companies to highlight the benefits for businesses of switching to 100 per cent green energy in a report released on Monday.
The firms are members of the RE100 group, which used the opening of the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi on Monday to launch a study with the aim of encouraging more companies to commit to becoming carbon neutral.
The report finds that solar power is the most popular renewable energy technology for firms and outlines how heavy industry, construction and manufacturing sectors are the biggest investors in clean energy.
The study concludes that the consumer products, manufacturing and heavy industry sectors are getting the best financial returns from renewable power investments.
Steve Howard, chief sustainability officer at IKEA, said: "Investing in renewable energy is good for business, the economy and the planet. Every business can benefit from making the switch to clean, abundant energy and RE100 is a call to action to accelerate this transition."
IKEA has committed €1.5bn to help ensure it sources 100 per cent of its energy from renewables by 2020.
The RE100 group was launched in 2014 at Climate Week NYC in September and has enlisted 15 companies, including H&M, Mars, Philips, and Formula E.
The latest firms to join the initiative are German software giant SAP SE and SGS, an international inspection, verification, testing and certification company based in Switzerland.
Daniel Schmid, chief sustainability officer of SAP SE said: "At the beginning of 2014, SAP announced its commitment to 100 per cent renewable electricity in its data centres and facilities, which allowed us to expand our competitiveness in the cloud software market while further enhancing our sustainability leadership. Joining RE100 is a natural step and we are happy to share our practical experience with global sustainability leaders as well as to discuss challenges and opportunities associated with renewable energy."