Nov 10 2017 - BONN: 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.”
| A Climate Group release || November 10, 2017 |||
