The wind, hydropower, energy storage and grid operations business of GE has committed to going 100% carbon neutral by the end of 2020.
GE Renewable Energy will reach carbon neutrality by reducing emissions across its operations through operational efficiencies, securing renewable electricity supply to all production sites and balancing remaining emissions with the purchase of carbon offsets to achieve a net-zero footprint.
GE Renewable Energy chief executive Jerome Pecresse said: “This is a decision that makes business sense.
“Energy efficiency, waste reduction, and renewable power sources will ultimately combine to lower the operating costs of our business. I am confident our journey to carbon neutrality will contribute eventually to the growth of our business and also to the overall sustainability efforts driven by the renewable energy industry.”
The company will partner with Natural Capital Partners for strategic advice to reach carbon neutrality by the end of next year.
Natural Capital Partners will also be able to provide carbon offsets and energy attribute certificates tailored to GE Renewable Energy’s specific requirements, meeting its carbon neutral goal.
GE Renewable Energy will report upon its progress regularly, providing shareholders with a roadmap for how the company is tracking against its goal.
Company chief technology Danielle Merfeld said: “By pursuing carbon neutrality, we will gain first-hand experience to further champion the sustainability goals of our customers and other partners.
“It’s our priority to walk the talk in our commitment to reduce our carbon footprint.”
According to Natural Capital Partners chief executive Stephen Killeen, GE Renewable Energy is “showcasing its leadership on climate action” through the programme and delivering “positive impact now” while national commitments to reduce carbon emissions continue to “lag behind”.
“By choosing to be carbon neutral, as supported by the CarbonNeutral Protocol, GE Renewable Energy is assured that it is following best practice in meeting its carbon neutral commitment and we are very pleased to be working with them to deliver a high quality, high impact climate programme,” Killeen said.