Nike, Starbucks, Walmart to use 100% renewable electricity

Leading US companies including Nike, Starbucks, Goldman Sachs and Walmart have joined a global campaign committed to achieving 100 per cent renewable electricity.

RE100, a global campaign led by The Climate Group in partnership with CDP, aims to engage, support and showcase influential businesses committed to 100 per cent renewable electricity.

The campaign hopes to massively increase private sector demand for renewable power, therefore accelerating the transformation of the global energy market and paving the way to a low carbon future.

Since its launch at New York’s Climate Week 2014, the campaign has garnered significant support.

36 global businesses now partner the initiative, with Elion Resources Group becoming the first Chinese company in March 2015. Swiss financial services provider UBS and Dutch Life Sciences and Materials company Royal DSM both came on board earlier this week.

Upon joining RE100 many companies have set targets to becoming 100 per cent renewable.

Goldman Sachs aim to be 100 per cent renewable by 2020, Johnson & Johnson by 2050 and Nike by 2025.

Eric Sprunk, Chief Operating Officer of NIKE, Inc. has said “climate change is a global issue that requires global solutions. We believe that collaboration is important to accelerate and scale sustainable innovations that have potential to change the world.”

Mark Kenber, CEO of The Climate Group, has said: “Research shows that the most ambitious companies have seen a 27 per cent return on their low carbon investments – no wonder new names keep joining RE100. Lowering risk, protecting against price rises, saving millions and boosting brand is what shaping a low carbon economy is all about.”

RE100 is contributing to the momentum surrounding UN climate talks at COP21 in Paris in December.

“Today these companies are signalling loud and clear to COP21 negotiators that forward-thinking businesses back renewables and want to see a strong climate deal in Paris,” Kenber added.