Manufacturing Giant 3m Commits To 100% Renewable Power For Global Operations.

Manufacturing and technology giant 3M has become the latest company to join RE100, the global leadership initiative bringing together companies committed to 100% renewable power, led by The Climate Group in partnership with CDP.

The company has committed to source 100% renewable electricity for its global operations by 2050, with an interim goal of 50% by 2025.

Making the announcement, 3M stated that its global headquarters will now be renewably powered – taking the company to sourcing 30% renewable electricity globally.

Helen Clarkson, CEO, The Climate Group, said: “By joining RE100 and switching to 100% renewable electricity globally, 3M is building sustainability into its business growth strategy and showing the two go hand-in-hand,” said Helen Clarkson, CEO of The Climate Group.

“Seeing such a large manufacturer commit to ‘go all in’ on renewables to produce sustainable new products is an encouraging step forward. Big brands like this can influence positive action from other companies and customers and accelerate the clean energy transition around the world.”

“3M is flipping the switch to becoming powered 100% by renewable energy,” said 3M CEO Mike Roman. “We are continuing to step up our leadership toward a more sustainable future – in our own operations, and in solutions for our customers.”

"BIG BRANDS LIKE THIS CAN INFLUENCE POSITIVE ACTION FROM OTHER COMPANIES AND CUSTOMERS AND ACCELERATE THE CLEAN ENERGY TRANSITION AROUND THE WORLD.”

Helen Clarkson, CEO, The Climate Group

Lowering emissions while growing revenue

Joining RE100 is part of 3M’s wider strategy to build sustainability into its business strategy. The company has so far recorded a 68% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions since 2002, while nearly doubling its revenue at the same time.

At COP24 in December, 3M introduced its first formal requirement for a Sustainability Value Commitment be included in all new products introduced beginning in 2019. Sourcing renewable electricity will add to the process of greening 3M’s manufacturing process.

The majority of the power for 3M’s headquarters will be supplied by Xcel Energy wind farms located near Pipestone, Minnesota that will produce and transmit electricity on to the grid area in which 3M consumes its electricity. Additional electricity will come through the wind projects that are part of Xcel’s Windsource program and solar sources.

Chris Clark, president, Xcel Energy-Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, said: “We applaud 3M’s leadership in making a bold commitment to 100% renewable energy. Xcel Energy is proud to partner with 3M, because we both share a drive to innovate and a commitment to reducing carbon emissions and protecting the environment.’’

Minnesota, where 3M’s headquarters are located, is also a member of the Under2 Coalition, for which The Climate Group acts as Secretariat. As a member of this group of ambitious state and regional governments committed to climate action, Minnesota is currently debating a proposed bill which would require its utilities to provide 100% renewable electricity by 2050.

For more information on RE100, read our latest Annual Progress and Insights Report November 2018.

28 February 2019