Starbucks, Nike join renewable energy push

  • 23/09/2015
(File)
(File)

Major US companies including Walmart, Starbucks and Nike have vowed to move completely to renewable energy in the long term as part of a global effort against climate change.

The non-profit Climate Group announced the latest additions to its campaign during a week of events in New York, which aim to build momentum for a global agreement to fight climate change.

Consumer goods giants Johnson & Johnson and Procter & Gamble, and investment bank Goldman Sachs have also joined the year-old effort.

"Our mission is to help people live longer, healthier and happier lives. We understand the intrinsic link between a healthy environment and human health," said Alex Gorsky, CEO of Johnson & Johnson, whose products range from bandages to pain relief capsules.

The Climate Group's initiative, dubbed RE100, does not set a deadline for companies to meet the goal, or spell out consequences if they do not.

European firms in particular have faced legal requirements to curb emissions under the Kyoto Protocol, which the United States shunned.

Several companies that joined the RE100 initiative have faced criticism for aspects of their businesses.

Walmart is known for its hostility to labour unions, but has been active on climate change, saying that environmental efforts are critical to maintaining low costs.

Walmart has already set a goal of shifting entirely to renewables, which it says now supply about 24 percent of the retailer's electricity.

The Climate Group said that 36 major businesses now belong to the initiative.

Companies that have previously joined include food giants Mars and Nestle, Ikea, H&M, electronics maker Philips and Indian software company Infosys.

AFP