EVEN MORE LEADING BUSINESSES COMMIT TO SHAPING A CLEAN ECONOMY
The Climate GroupBONN: As Energy Day gets under way at the 2017 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP23) in Bonn today (Friday, November 10), influential and international businesses from a wide range of sectors are driving emissions cuts by leading the way on electric transport, energy productivity and renewable power.
Four major businesses from three different continents have today joined The Climate Group’s global electric vehicles campaign (EV100), and pledged to transition to electric transport by 2030. They include the airline Air New Zealand, Mercury – the New Zealand electricity retailer and generator, Dutch engineering and project management consultancy Royal HaskoningDHV, and the Japanese shopping mall developer AEON Mall.
Also new today, one of India’s leading cement producers, Dalmia Cement, has announced that it is already almost half way to doubling its energy productivity by 2030 (using a 2010-11 baseline) as part of The Climate Group’s EP100 initiative.
And the international consultancy and construction company, Mace, which strives to create more sustainable cities and communities, has today joined The Climate Group’s RE100 campaign with CDP, committing the world’s most influential companies to 100% renewable power. The UK-based company is aiming to achieve 100% renewable electricity globally by 2022; and 75% by 2019.
RE100 members are now creating demand of up to 153 TWh of renewable electricity annually – more than enough to power Poland.
The news follows announcements earlier this week from UK-based HSBC, which has joined RE100 with a commitment to sourcing 100% renewable power by 2030. US bank Wells Fargo also announced that it has achieved 100% renewable electricity through the purchase of renewable energy certificates (RECs) to power its over 90 million square feet portfolio, and is now working to achieve its 2020 goal to transition to net new sources of renewable electricity.
Helen Clarkson, CEO, The Climate Group, championed the role of business in driving a zero-emissions economy: “It’s fantastic to see continued leadership from companies on climate action – commitments like these are smart business decisions that future-proof operations and boost the bottom line.
“EV100 members are helping to wean us off polluting petrol and diesel while RE100 members are increasing demand for renewable energy. Together with EP100 commitments that enable companies to get more out of the energy they use, leading companies are shaping our global energy market for the future and helping to accelerate the emissions reductions needed to deliver on the Paris Agreement.”
EV100 – NEW JOINERS
As part of its ambitious sustainability initiatives, Air New Zealand has taken a leadership position in the shift to EVs, and has already transitioned 100% of its light vehicle fleet and electrified more than half of its heavy airport service vehicles.
Christopher Luxon, CEO, Air New Zealand, said: “At airports and on the roads, our EVs are literally driving a call to action for the business community to commit to more sustainable options. By investing in EVs, we’re helping to increase both supply and demand for electric transport and charging infrastructure – a move which will ultimately make EVs a mainstream sight in New Zealand.”
Mercury has already transitioned every vehicle in its fleet that can be practicably converted to electric (80 out of 114 vehicles), and now 870 employees at nearly 20 sites drive one of the largest EV fleets in New Zealand. Mercury, with others, also helped bring the Electric Highway to New Zealand with the peer-to-peer EV charger location app, ‘Plugshare’.
Fraser Whineray, CEO, Mercury, said: “Now that we’ve converted every vehicle that we can to EVs, our mission of Energy Freedom inspires us to support the electrification of transport throughout New Zealand. Around 90% of New Zealand’s electricity is produced from clean renewable sources so it’s a winning formula for drivers, for business, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels. Mercury is part of a movement in New Zealand and globally through membership of EV100.”
Between them, Air New Zealand and Mercury have instigated a landmark corporate initiative, influencing over 30 leading New Zealand organisations and businesses to pledge to transition their fleets to at least 30% electric in the next three years.
Royal HaskoningDHV announced in September that it would transition to 100% EVs. Under EV100, the company has committed its leased fleets and service contracts, and is supporting the uptake of EVs by its 6,000 staff and customers in over 150 countries. The company will transition its fleet, just over 500 cars, in the Netherlands by 2021, and internationally by 2030. Currently the fleet holds 20 plug-in hybrids and 30 100% electric vehicles. All employees with plug-ins and 80% of those with EVs have a charger installed at their home.
Erik Oostwegel, CEO, Royal HaskoningDHV, said: “In recent months, as a means of controlling climate change and air pollution, various governments announced measures to phase-out diesel or petrol-driven vehicles. As an innovative company, we want to be a frontrunner in developments relating to sustainability and mobility of the future. We provide advice to clients concerning sustainable mobility and the energy transition. These two elements converge in electric driving. For us the move to 100% electric vehicles is a no-brainer and all companies should do this. The trend is clear. Let’s use our time efficient and stop talking and take action.”
AEON Mall is supporting the uptake of electric vehicles (EVs) by its customers, and has been installing charging facilities at each of its 152 shopping malls across Japan since 2008. Already the company has installed 751 EV chargers in 135 malls in Japan, and plans to have installed them at 143 malls by 2018. In China, the company has so far installed 348 chargers at six malls. AEON Mall was recruited to EV100 via Japan-CLP, a regional engagement partner for the campaign on behalf of The Climate Group.
Yoshiharu Umeda, Senior Managing Director, Administration Division, General Manager, AEON Mall, said: “We have taken the lead in introducing advanced approaches such as utilizing solar photovoltaic energy, building recharging stations for electric vehicles, and increasing the greening of shopping centers. Such approaches have also become acknowledged in recent years as a new value of a commercial facility. We will promote the creation of people-friendly, environment-friendly malls and strive to be Asia’s No.1 specialized commercial developer by gaining support from local residents and society. That’s why we are joining EV100.”
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Contact:
- Marie Reynolds, Communications Manager, The Climate Group – [email protected] Tel: +44 (0) 207 960 2991
- Gideon Hymas, Consultant, Maitland Green Communications – [email protected] Tel: +44 (0)7584 643 000
About The Climate Group
The Climate Group works internationally with leading businesses, states and regions to deliver a world of net zero greenhouse gas emissions and greater prosperity for all.
We are at the forefront of ambitious climate action. Our focus is on collaborative programs with corporate and government partners that deliver impact on a global scale.
The Climate Group stimulates action by businesses, states and regions, bringing them together to develop and implement the policies that make change happen. We also communicate their achievements to secure global public acceptance of, and even greater ambition for, a prosperous, net-zero future for all.
The Climate Group is an international non-profit with offices in Beijing, London, New Delhi and New York.
theclimategroup.org | @ClimateGroup
About EV100
EV100 is a global initiative by The Climate Group bringing together forward-looking companies committed to accelerating the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) and making electric transport the new normal by 2030.
The transport sector is the fastest-growing contributor to climate change, accounting for 23% of global energy-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Electric transport offers a major solution in cutting millions of tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year, as well as curbing transport related air and noise pollution. With businesses owning over half of all registered vehicles on the road, it is crucial that companies lead the shift to electric vehicles. Through their investment, and influence on millions of staff and customers worldwide, they can address rising global transport emissions. They can also significantly enhance mass demand for electric vehicles. By setting out their future EV purchasing requirements on an ambitious timescale, companies can drive mass roll-out and make electric cars more rapidly affordable for everyone around the world.
About EP100
Led by The Climate Group in partnership with the Alliance to Save Energy, EP100 is a global, collaborative initiative of influential businesses that pledge to double their energy productivity.
By doubling the economic output from every unit of energy consumed, companies set a bold target, demonstrating climate leadership while reaping the benefits of lower energy costs. Business accounts for around half of the electricity used worldwide. By focusing on energy productivity outcomes, corporates can reduce their own energy demand and significantly contribute to reducing energy demand globally. Furthermore, significantly improving energy productivity worldwide will help get us halfway to the goal of limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius. It’s critical that businesses lead the way. By doubling energy productivity, corporations are also enhancing their resilience and boosting competitiveness, all while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, creating jobs, and improving energy security.
About RE100
Led by The Climate Group in partnership with CDP, RE100 is a collaborative initiative uniting the world’s most influential businesses committed to 100% renewable power.
Renewables are a smart business decision, providing greater control over energy costs and driving innovation, while helping companies to deliver on emission reduction goals. RE100 members, including Global Fortune 500 companies, have a total revenue of more than US$2.5 trillion and operate in a diverse range of sectors – from Information Technology to automobile manufacturing. They send a powerful signal to policymakers and investors to accelerate the transition to a low carbon economy.
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