Mars, Incorporated will achieve 100% renewable electricity in Mexico where it has signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for a new wind project.
The wind farm, a new partnership between Mars, Vive Energia and Envision, will generate the equivalent electricity required to power Mars’ five sites in Mexico, and is expected to drive a greenhouse gas emissions reduction of over 25,000 tons of CO2-e when it goes online in 2017.
The news comes on Energy Day at COP22 in Marrakech, where global leaders are convening a year on from the historic Paris Agreement. The global confectionary company couples this announcement with an call on the business community to accelerate action on climate change.
Barry Parkin, Chief Sustainability & Health and Wellbeing Officer, said “This is an important moment in global political and economic history, and we absolutely must come together to solve the immense challenges facing the planet. Climate change, water scarcity and deforestation are serious threats to society. It is imperative that global businesses, like Mars, do their part to face down those threats.”
Mars was amongst the first companies to join RE100, setting a target to power its entire global operations with 100% renewable electricity by 2040. The company is demonstrating progress against this goal – this wind farm will be the third major new wind project for the business in three years.
“It’s fantastic to see Mars progressing internationally – this latest announcement is another piece in the jigsaw for achieving its goal of 100% renewable energy globally by 2040,” said Damian Ryan, Acting CEO of The Climate Group.
“The move will also help to develop a growing renewables market in Mexico. It sends a clear signal of support to the Yucatan government that demand for renewables is rising, and that there’s an alternative to using polluting fossil fuels in this environmentally sensitive area.”
Also today, RE100 welcomes two new members; Dalmia Cement and Helvetia. Both are committed to 100% renewable power for their global operations.