3M embraces 100% global renewable electricity goal
Technology company 3M says it is committed to move to 100% renewable electricity in all its facilities around the world, beginning with its own headquarters, applying Xcel Energy Inc’s service. 3M becomes the largest company to convert to 100% renewable electricity in Xcel’s area across eight Western and Midwestern states. 3M’s St. Paul global headquarters is a 409-acre campus with about 12,000 employees across 30 buildings and research labs.
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The move at its headquarters will increase the company’s total global renewable electricity sourcing by more than 5% to approximately 30% and further help the company reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It has also recorded a 68% absolute reduction in greenhouse gas emissions since 2002, while nearly doubling its revenue.
“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,’’ said Chris Clark, President, Xcel Energy-Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota.”
The firm says this is in line with Its strategic focus on science for climate with the aspiration to innovate to decarbonize industry, accelerate global climate solutions and improve the company’s environmental footprint.
As part of the global goal, 3M is joining RE100, a global leadership initiative, led by The Climate Group in partnership with Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) that brings together influential businesses committed to sourcing 100% renewable power for their worldwide operations.
It has also set an interim target to source at least 50% of its electricity from renewables by 2025.
“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.”
As a global manufacturing and technology company that produces thousands of diverse products, 3M says It is committed to accelerating global renewable energy adoption and to transparently sharing progress along the way.
3M also recently announced an increased commitment to build Sustainability into the pipeline that produces its thousands of products and technologies. At the UN Climate Conference (COP24) in December, 3M introduced its first formal requirement that a Sustainability Value Commitment be included in all new products introduced beginning in 2019.
At the same time as 3M converts its operations to wind and solar power, the company continues to support the global renewable energy sector by producing solutions for its customers that improve the reliability and efficiency of renewable energy, including solar and wind. Last year alone 3M’s products helped customers avoid more than 13 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
The majority of the power for 3M’s headquarters will be supplied by Xcel wind farms located near Pipestone, Minnesota. Additional electricity will come through the wind projects that are part of Xcel’s Windsource program and solar sources.