RE100 Explained: Committed to 100% Renewable Energy

Posted : November 14, 2024
Buyers of Environmental Commodities, RECs

RE100 is leading the movement toward 100% renewable energy, with participation from the world’s top businesses. This article will provide insights into the initiative and how companies are achieving their sustainability goals.

What is RE100?

RE100 is a global initiative bringing together the world’s most influential businesses committed to using 100% renewable electricity in their operations. Led by Climate Group in partnership with CDP, its mission is to accelerate change towards zero carbon grids at scale.

Operating across more than 175 markets worldwide, RE100 members are at the forefront of driving clean energy solutions, fostering innovation in electric transportation, and promoting smarter energy practices.

The Growing Impact of RE100

If RE100 were a country, it would rank as the world’s 10th largest electricity consumer. The collective renewable energy consumption of RE100 members already matches that of France, underscoring the initiative’s massive scale and influence.

Moreover, RE100 creates ripple effects throughout supply chains. As major corporations commit to renewable energy, their suppliers are increasingly encouraged—or required—to set ambitious renewable targets. This chain reaction accelerates the global transition to sustainable energy systems.

How Companies Meet RE100 Goals

The approaches RE100 members take reflect their diverse operational and geographic realities:

Direct Investments: Some organizations invest in building new renewable energy projects, such as off-site solar or wind farms, leveraging their resources to create long-term clean energy solutions.
Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs): Others lock in renewable energy supplies by signing long-term PPAs with renewable power producers, often seeking financial predictability and environmental impact.
Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs): Regardless of the strategy, cancelling EACs is essential to verify renewable energy claims and align with global standards.
For many companies, particularly those operating in regions with limited renewable energy infrastructure, purchasing unbundled EACs is the most practical and scalable solution.

Renewable Energy Sources Accepted by RE100

Global Energy Attribute Certificate Systems

EACs are critical tools for documenting renewable energy consumption. The primary EAC systems include:

Guarantees of Origin (GOs) in Europe
Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) in North America
International RECs (I-RECs) in Asia, Latin America, and Africa

These systems enable businesses to track and verify their renewable energy usage across diverse markets, helping them meet their RE100 commitments and demonstrate accountability.

Why should companies buy EACs to achieve RE100 goal?

EACs offer a cost-effective, flexible way to achieve renewable energy goals with lower capital expenditure than on-site generation or long-term PPAs, while still supporting renewable energy growth. This accessibility allows more companies to join the transition to clean energy.

EACs also ensure transparency and credibility in renewable energy claims by preventing double-counting and enabling accurate reporting of Scope 2 emissions reductions. It ensures compliance with RE100, Greenhouse Gas Protocol and other key carbon protocols.

By integrating EACs into operations, businesses align with international sustainability standards, advance decarbonization, and demonstrate leadership in fostering a greener future.

Advancing Renewable Goals with Monsoon Carbon

At Monsoon Carbon, we help companies implement renewable energy strategies with solutions like RECs and Direct Power Purchase Agreements (DPPAs). Whether your business aims to meet RE100 commitments or reduce emissions in line with Science-Based Targets, our expertise in environmental commodities across 30+ emerging markets can help.