In a landmark step for a net-zero world, leading corporations like Google, AstraZeneca, Iron Mountain Data Centers, Shree Cement, AirTrunk, and Vodafone UK have become Founding Partners of the Climate Group’s 24/7 Carbon-Free Buildings Campaign. Launched at Climate Week NYC, the campaign aims to zero out corporate electricity consumption by encouraging businesses to ensure that whatever energy they use is replaced locally with carbon-free electricity around the clock, every day of the week.
Decarbonization Drive: A New Way To Use Energy
24/7 Carbon-Free Coalition: Reframing the business of electricity procurement with real-time energy matching to carbon-free sources of power. Replacing traditional energy practices-basically, burning fossil fuels during times of non-availability of renewable energy-become an outdated tradition.
Helen Clarkson, Chief Executive Officer, Climate Group, said: “We are calling on business leaders to be even bolder and commit to 24/7 carbon-free electricity. We believe that when the original founders of the coalition make this leap of boldness, it would accelerate the deployment of renewable energy, push carbon-free technologies, and eliminate the need for fossil fuels as backup.
The coalition extends beyond corporate carbon footprints; it is a further impact as it touches energy systems worldwide. The progress made by individual members of this group will result in member companies moving on to more significant advancements on engagements with policymakers, energizing the system for innovation in energy infrastructure, and joining the global crusade against climate change.
Pioneers of Change: On Board Corporate Leaders
Having emerged as one of the biggest organisations utilizing renewable energy, Google is one of the founding members of the 24/7 Carbon-Free Coalition. The tech giant is currently well on track for the goal of achieving 24/7 carbon-free energy usage across its operational grids by 2030. In 2022, Google’s facilities matched 64% of their energy consumption with renewable energy sourced from either on-site or local grids.
According to Kate Brandt, Google’s Chief Sustainability Officer, it is aligned with the objective of this initiative: “innovative partnerships are crucial to making 24/7 Carbon-Free Electricity a reality for everyone, and we’re excited to work with other climate leaders on this important challenge. Together, we can accelerate decarbonization in this critical decade for climate action.”
Another co-founder of AstraZeneca is entirely devoted to the achievement of a carbon-free future by promoting the shift to such a source of energy. According to Liz Chatwin, VP Global Sustainability of AstraZeneca: “At AstraZeneca, we want to play a role in enabling the energy transition and demonstrate that 24/7 CFE is not only possible but brings many benefits.”.
Telecom sector Also, part of the 24/7 Carbon-Free Coalition is Vodafone UK. Aiming to achieve the objectives of the 24/7 Carbon-Free Coalition, Vodafone will take its endeavors toward greater sustainability and support the decarbonization of energy systems at a local level.
Coalition: Innovating Further
Therefore, the Coalition’s primary agenda will rest in driving technological innovation in the energy sector. By encouraging businesses to balance their consumption from carbon-free sources on an ongoing basis, the initiative will place a tremendous challenge on what is today possible in renewable energy generation, storage, and distribution.
The coalition will draw on a portfolio of innovative technologies, including improved battery storage, advanced renewable energy, such as wind and solar, and flexible technology to backfill when traditional renewables are offline-to make sure businesses have access to carbon-free energy 24/7. This direct, real-time matching of consumption with clean power represents a significant step forward in the search for decarbonization.
This is the new 24/7 Carbon-Free Coalition, succeeding the RE100 launched by the Climate Group which brought together over 400 of the world’s biggest companies in common commitment towards sourcing 100% renewable electricity. In contrast, while RE100 focuses on scale up renewable energy consumption, the new coalition takes the commitment a step further as it supports and champions localized and continuous access to clean energy.
Towards Carbon-Free Grids and Broader Policy Impact
From the standpoint of the 24/7 Carbon-Free Coalition, it goes beyond focusing on the transformation of corporate electricity consumption to carbon-free, making broader policy frameworks that influence overall energy system settings. By investing in power directly from local grids, businesses can drive regional changes in energy policies by promoting the development of new renewable projects as well as encouraging a more adaptable and resilient energy infrastructure.
The coalition hopes that, by the efforts of its members, it inspires other businesses to do the same and commit to decarbonizing their electricity consumption. As they switch to 24/7 carbon-free electricity, businesses will have a very important role to play in driving the transformation of energy systems fully powered by carbon-free sources.
A Call to Action for Business Leaders
The Climate Group is calling on businesses everywhere to start their 24/7 carbon-free energy journeys. According to Clarkson, when business starts this ambitious journey, they will not only go deeper into complete decarbonization in their own operations but will also spur solutions to transform the world’s electricity grids.
“Businesses taking this ambitious step will not only contribute to achieving full decarbonization of their electricity use but will also lead to new solutions to transform electricity systems to be operated wholly by carbon-free electricity,” the Coalition stated. This program shall be a model and prototype for other industries to promote energy security, economic competitiveness, and sustainable growth.
Therefore, the embracing of the 24/7 Carbon-Free Coalition by such global corporations sets a new rule for corporate responsibility and may eventually realize an ultimately sustainable and carbon-free future.