The White House has announced 73 more companies are joining the American Business Act on Climate Pledge – bringing the total number of participating companies to 154. In addition to big-name corporations, including Amazon, Verizon and Volvo, some wind power players, including Enel Green Power North America, EDP Renewables North America and Gamesa, have now signed on.
The White House says that by signing the pledge, participating companies are voicing support for a strong outcome at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris; demonstrating an ongoing commitment to climate action by announcing significant pledges to reduce their emissions, increase low-carbon investments, deploy more clean energy, and take other actions to build more sustainable businesses and tackle climate change; and setting an example for their peers.
Wind turbine manufacturer Gamesa, for example, has committed to target a reduction of CO2 emissions from its manufacturing operations of 15% by 2025, through technology and efficiency improvements.
Likewise, Gamesa says it will put in place other actions to compensate its carbon footprint by optimizing logistics systems and energy consumption in offices across the world. In this way, the company will change its current energy mix, sourcing at least 20% of the electricity supply for Gamesa's worldwide operations from clean energy technologies by 2025.
Finally, Gamesa says it will maintain and enforce certifications in its worldwide production centers that address greenhouse-gas emissions, eco-design practices and appropriate management systems.
"We have installed more than 26,000 wind turbines worldwide in the past 21 years, preventing the emission of an estimated 50 million tons of CO2 into the atmosphere," says Borja Negro, CEO of Gamesa North America. "As a leader in clean energy supply, we applaud initiatives to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy.’
The 73 new participating companies join 81 others, including Pepsi, IKEA USA and American Express, in making the pledge. In October, for example, Procter & Gamble announced plans to use wind power to meet 100% of electricity demands for all of its North American Fabric & Home Care manufacturing plants.
According to the White House, the 154 participating companies have operations in all 50 states, employ nearly 11 million people, represent more than $4.2 trillion in annual revenue, and have a combined market capitalization of over $7 trillion.
The companies' detailed commitments under the pledge can be viewed at whitehouse.gov/climatepledge.
