Increasing renewable energy demand is key to driving the energy transition, especially as overall energy demand rises with the growth of data centers, electric vehicles, and other electricity-intensive technologies. Businesses have recognized this and are joining schemes like RE100 to play their part in increasing demand for renewables. 

At the forefront of the transformation, over 400 of the world’s most influential businesses have committed to a cleaner future by joining RE100. This shift shows how businesses are driving positive environmental change and also sets a blueprint for others to follow in their footsteps. 

What does 100 Renewable energy mean? Read on to explore the benefits of RE100 membership and the impact of adopting 100% renewable energy.

What is RE100?

RE100 (Renewable 100) is a global initiative that brings together some of the world’s most influential companies committed to 100% renewable electricity. Launched by The Climate Group in partnership with CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project), this corporate renewable energy initiative aims to accelerate the shift towards zero-carbon grids at global scale. Members of RE 100 commit to transitioning their operations to 100% renewable energy by a specified year. This goal highlights their dedication to sustainability and positions these companies as leaders in the fight against climate change.

Who is RE100 for?

RE100 is an ideal platform for companies of all sizes and sectors that are committed to leading the way in sustainability and demonstrating environmental responsibility. It’s for organizations that seek to reduce their carbon footprint, lower energy costs, and drive market changes toward 100% clean energy usage. Whether you're a small business or a multinational corporation, you can join RE100 if you're dedicated to achieving 100% renewable energy consumption. The membership of RE100 includes influential global brands from various sectors. For many of its members, being a part of this esteemed club means enhanced appeal and popularity among environmentally conscious investors and customers. 

Exploring RE100: Mission and Objectives

The mission of RE100 is to make '100% renewable' the new normal for all businesses and to accelerate change towards zero carbon grids, at global scale.

Objectives include:

• Boosting Corporate Demand: Increase the demand for—and investment in—renewable energy. This initiative helps increase the availability of renewable power while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• Influencing Energy Policy: Advocate for policies that facilitate an easier switch to renewable energy for businesses across the globe.
• Sharing Best Practices: Provide a platform for companies to share strategies, challenges, and successes in renewable energy sourcing.

Requirements for Joining RE100 Companies

According to the latest guidelines, to join the RE100 campaign, companies must:

• Make a public commitment to source/having already sourced 100% of their global electricity consumption from renewable sources.
• Commit to a target year to achieve the 100% renewable goal (by 2050 latest). 
• Disclose their electricity data annually through CDP to ensure transparency and accountability.
• Report annually to disclose their progress to RE100.

Note: This commitment must cover all electricity used across global operations. 

Now that we know how important corporate sustainability goals are, let’s understand some challenges businesses face while reporting to Renewable Energy 100.

Common Challenges With Reporting To RE100

RE100 reporting is getting tougher as the framework gets stricter about disclosure. Firstly, the verification process for renewable energy purchases is becoming more cumbersome. Secondly, there exist inconsistencies between companies’ understanding of renewable energy and what RE100 considers to be renewable, leading to wrong reporting. 

What’s more? The new RE100 criteria that was released in January 2024 introduced stricter European market boundaries and rules for the commissioning date of power plants were revised. Only about 59% of companies are currently disclosing the age or commissioning date of their assets. Others may not have access to this information or the commissioning date of their assets may be more than 15 years old, making them reluctant to disclose it.

Starting next year, the RE100 guidelines will change to make it mandatory for businesses to disclose the commissioning year of their assets. If an asset is more than 15 years old, the claim will not be verified. This means that companies not already disclosing this information will need to prepare it and ensure they can obtain the necessary data from their suppliers or PPA contractors. Newer versions of the guidelines in 2025 and 2026 are expected to add to this complexity. 

RE100 is regarding lesser and lesser claims as credible, since companies still remain unfamiliar with accurate disclosure terms, creating a big challenge for RE100 reporting. 

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This is where the need for electricity data management arises. Effective data management is vital for ensuring you receive the clean electricity you are being billed for and the right proof to back up your claims to disclosure schemes like RE100 & CDP. Companies like Flexidao provide essential tools and services that streamline this process, making it easier for businesses to manage their energy portfolios and achieve their RE100 commitments.

Conclusion

Explore RE100 membership and join the community leading the way to a sustainable energy future. Companies like Google and Microsoft, as highlighted in Flexidao case studies, have shown how effective and impactful transitioning to 100% renewable energy can be. They have not only reduced their carbon footprints but also influenced global renewable energy policies and practices.

For businesses, the transition to 100 energy often starts with understanding your energy consumption patterns and sourcing renewable energy certifications (RECs) or engaging in power purchase agreements (PPAs). 

Interested in taking control of your clean energy future? Reach out to learn how Flexidao can assist you in streamlining your energy data management and reporting. Remember, transitioning to renewable energy also enhances your brand's value and customer appeal.