Firmenich has announced all its operations worldwide are now powered by 100% renewable electricity.
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This significant milestone builds on Firmenich’s second consecutive CDP Triple A ranking for climate change, water and forests. The company’s transition to green power is supported by RE100, a global initiative led by The Climate Group in partnership with CDP.
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An RE100 member, Firmenich reached 100% renewable electricity consumption ahead of schedule in all markets where it is currently possible to locally source renewable electricity in accordance with RE100 strict technical criteria.
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Firmenich purchased renewable grid electricity and collaborated with suppliers and governments to develop local availability of green power, including onsite solutions such as wind power and solar energy.
For two countries representing 5% of Firmenich’s electricity demand (Argentina and Singapore), factors beyond Firmenich’s control have prevented adherence with RE100’s guidelines to source renewables locally.
The company has shown ambition by purchasing renewable energy certificates from adjacent countries. RE100 supports this approach as an interim measure while the coalition works to improve supply in these markets.
Using 100% renewable electricity supports the company’s science-based targets aligned with limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C.
A member of the Business Ambition for 1.5°C, Firmenich is committed to reducing absolute Scope 1 and 2 CO2 emissions by 55% and Scope 3 emissions from raw materials by 20% by 2030.
Firmenich has clearly decoupled its growth from its CO2 emissions, with manufacturing output up 18% and emissions down by 30% since 2015.
“I am proud that Firmenich is the first in our industry to ensure that all our operations worldwide are powered by 100% renewable electricity,” Firmenich CEO Gilbert Ghostine said. “Present in more than 100 markets, with 39 plants worldwide, we are always open to sharing best practice on how ambitious, science-based targets can drive real progress against climate change.”
“Congratulations to Firmenich–by achieving 100% renewable electricity, they have shown that it’s possible for big businesses to deliver on ambitious targets that speed up the global transition to clean energy,” Sam Kimmins, Head of RE100 at The Climate Group, said. “Through its membership of RE100, Firmenich’s climate leadership is encouraging the few countries where renewables remain harder to access to speed up their transition to clean energy.”
“In 2015, we set an industry-leading goal to source 100% of our electricity from renewables by 2020,” Neil McFarlane, senior vice president quality, health, safety and environment, Firmenich, said. “I am delighted that we have achieved this milestone of 100%, on our journey to carbon neutrality. This performance is a testament to our teams’ extraordinary commitment to addressing the climate emergency and reducing emissions throughout our value chain.”
