US-based multinational software corporation Autodesk has become the 20th leading business from around the world to take part in RE100. The design software developer, which is headquartered in California, USA and has 8,800 employees worldwide, announced its commitment to the campaign during the launch of its 2015 sustainability report last Friday.
Autodesk has set a target to source 100% of its power from renewable sources by 2020 or sooner as part of RE100, the campaign leaded by The Climate Group which aims to get the world’s most influential companies signed up to 100% renewable power within a specified timeline.
“I expect to see more innovative US brands coming on board this year,” says Amy Davidsen, Executive Director of the US office of The Climate Group. “It’s fantastic to have an innovative US brand like Autodesk on board theRE100 campaign. With the cost of renewable energy falling, US companies are increasingly opting for clean, local energy supplied at competitive prices. The business case is clear – and 100% renewable power is within reach.”
The company has already reduced its carbon footprint by 27% since 2009, in-line with its science-based target 'C-FACT'. In 2015, the use of renewable energy in its real estate portfolio accounted for 40% of its global electricity consumption – up from 33% the previous year.
“Of all the social and environmental challenges we face, none is more pressing than climate change,” Carl Bass,, CEO of Autodesk said in the recently released Sustainability Report 2015. “I am excited to announce that we are committing to power our business with 100% renewable energy.”
Companies that have make a public commitment to go 100% renewable as part of the RE100 campaign include BT Group, Commerzbank, Elion Resources, Formula E, H&M, IKEA Group, Infosys, KPN, Mars, Marks & Spencer, Nestlé, Philips, Reed Elsevier Group, J. Safra Sarasin Bank, SAP, SGS, Swiss Re, Unilever, and YOOX Group.