PepsiCo Inc. announced a new target to source 100% renewable electricity across all of its company owned and controlled operations globally by 2030 and across its entire franchise and third-party operations by 2040.
With PepsiCo's scale, the transition has the potential to reduce approximately 2.5 million metric tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2040, the equivalent of taking more than half a million cars off the road for a full year.
PepsiCo already uses 100% renewable electricity at its sites across the UK, having completed the switch in October 2017. A quarter of its Skelmersdale Walkers Crisps site’s electricity is generated by a wind turbine built at the plant, whilst almost three quarters of the electricity used at its Bursom Road Walkers Crisps factory in Leicester is generated by an onsite anaerobic digestor. This announcement also builds upon a transition to renewable electricity in the U.S., its largest market, announced earlier this year.
"With the devastating effects of climate change being felt around the world, and the global food system under significant strain, accelerated action is needed," said Jim Andrew, Chief Sustainability Officer, PepsiCo. "We know the responsibility that comes with our size and scale, so transitioning PepsiCo's global business operations to 100% renewable electricity is the right step forward to deliver meaningful impact as we continue to advance our sustainability agenda."
Early this year, PepsiCo signed the Business Ambition for 1.5°C pledge, joining other leading companies in committing to set science-based emissions reduction targets in line with limiting global warming to 1.5°C, while also developing a long-term strategy for achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The company has made significant progress in reducing GHG emissions throughout its value chain - from working with farmers to implement carbon-efficient practices through its global Sustainable Farming Program to operating one of the largest electric fleets in North America.
PepsiCo currently procures renewable electricity in 18 countries, nine of which already meet 100% of their electricity demand from renewable sources. With the shift to renewable electricity in the U.S. underway this year, PepsiCo is currently on track to source 56% of its electricity through renewable sources globally by the end of 2020.
With this announcement, PepsiCo joins RE100, an initiative led by the Climate Group in partnership with CDP, to bring together the world's most influential companies committed to 100% renewable electricity.
"By transforming their global business operations to renewable electricity, PepsiCo is demonstrating a strong commitment to combat climate change, whilst underlining the business case for renewables," said Sam Kimmins, Head of RE100 at the Climate Group. "By investing in development of new solar and wind farms around the world to meet their target, PepsiCo is making a really tangible contribution to accelerating the clean energy transition."
To achieve 100% renewable electricity globally, PepsiCo will employ a diversified portfolio of solutions, including Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) that will support the development of new projects such as solar and wind farms around the world, as well as through purchased energy certificates that will enable the near-term transition to renewable sources in many geographies. The company will also continue to expand its growing list of onsite wind and solar projects at its facilities around the world. PepsiCo's global headquarters in Purchase, NY installed rooftop solar energy panels earlier this year.
