The Era of Corporate Green Energy: Are You Ready?
With the impact of climate change, not only have governments worldwide begun energy transition plans, but companies are also keeping pace and striving toward the goal of net-zero carbon emissions. In 2014, as temperatures soared to record highs across the globe, climate change gained worldwide attention. That same year, "RE100" was launched as a global renewable energy initiative by The Climate Group and the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), marking the beginning of the corporate green energy era.
What is RE100?
What does RE100 mean? RE stands for Renewable Energy, and 100 represents 100%. Thus, RE100 signifies the commitment to using 100% renewable energy. The renewable energy sources recognized by RE100 include solar power, biomass (including biogas), geothermal, hydro, and wind power—all of which are currently being developed in Taiwan. Companies that join RE100 must ensure that all electricity used at their global operational sites comes from renewable energy sources. They must also publicly commit to achieving 100% green energy usage between 2020 and 2050, with annual progress reporting.
In recent years, many major corporations have joined the decarbonization movement, including well-known global enterprises such as Apple, IKEA, Google, BMW, and Nike. This sustainability concept has also gained traction in Taiwan, where companies such as TSMC, Acer, Grape King Bio, and O'right have pledged to achieve the 2050 net-zero target, making green energy a competitive advantage for future enterprises.
Taiwan’s SME Initiative – RE10x10
RE100 has significantly boosted the green energy market, with large enterprises announcing their transition to renewable energy and demanding that their supply chains follow suit. However, considering that 97% of Taiwan's businesses are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), is there a business model that allows for profitability while also being environmentally friendly?
In response, Greenpeace launched Taiwan’s renewable energy initiative, "RE10x10," in 2020. The initiative aims to achieve at least 10% green energy usage in total electricity consumption by 2025 and to move toward 100% renewable energy by 2050.
As of now, 52 Taiwanese companies have joined the initiative, including well-known businesses such as the streaming platform CATCHPLAY, Watsons, Cha Tzu Tang, Taiwan Mobile, and Yuanta Financial Holdings. The initiative provides professional consulting services for participating companies, helping them assess their electricity usage, estimate affordable renewable energy solutions, and offering forums and seminars to create a platform for exchanging knowledge on green energy adoption.
The Corporate Green Energy Era is Here—Are You Ready?
Whether a company joins "RE10x10" or "RE100," both contribute to enhancing corporate image. These platforms also provide opportunities for companies to share insights on renewable energy usage, including how to source green power and maintain equipment. By collaborating, businesses can better respond to policy changes, collectively influencing the market and environmental landscape.
Why is there a global push for renewable energy? Because for businesses, using green energy is not only beneficial to the environment but also helps reduce costs, creating a win-win situation for both the economy and sustainability. Over the past decade, the cost of building renewable energy infrastructure has significantly decreased. Additionally, the European Union introduced a carbon border tax in 2023, significantly impacting global industries. Taiwan has also started drafting plans to gradually implement a carbon fee, posing further challenges to local industries. In the future, net-zero action will become a standard requirement for businesses. With the corporate green energy era on the horizon—are you ready?