As climate reporting standards tighten and stakeholder expectations rise, companies are under growing pressure to demonstrate leadership in the procurement and development of renewable electricity. RE100, short for “Renewable Electricity 100%”, is a global initiative that calls on companies to publicly commit to sourcing 100% of their electricity from renewable sources. Led by The Climate Group and in partnership with the CDP (formerly Carbon Disclosure Project), it has become a key global benchmark for this commitment.
What is the CDP?
The CDP is a global non-profit organization that operates one of the world’s leading environmental disclosure platforms for companies, cities and regions. By providing a standardized accounting framework for reporting greenhouse gas emissions and sustainability performance, CDP helps organizations manage environmental risks, identify opportunities and increase transparency. Today, CDP plays a central role in major climate initiatives, including RE100, a global campaign led in partnership with The Climate Group that encourages companies to commit to sourcing 100% of their electricity from renewable sources. With transparency now central to corporate climate leadership, RE100 is becoming a key benchmark in the global transition to renewable electricity.
RE100 compliance requirements
To comply with RE100, companies must first make a public commitment to achieve 100% renewable electricity usage, no later than 2050. However, many members set more ambitious targets, typically by 2030 or sooner and establish interim milestones to demonstrate credible progress. Members must also meet minimum compliance thresholds set by the initiative:
- 100% Renewable Electricity by 2050
- 60% by 2030 (minimum interim goal)
- 90% by 2040 (minimum interim goal)
These targets help establish a clear trajectory toward decarbonization and signal credibility to stakeholders. To meet these goals, companies typically pursue strategies such as entering into Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) or purchasing Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs) - including Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) in the U.S., Guarantees of Origin (GOs) in Europe, and International RECs (I-RECs) in global markets.
PPAs are long-term contracts in which a company agrees to purchase and fund renewable electricity directly from a new generator, often at a fixed price. These agreements help support the development of new renewable energy projects while generating EACs and can also protect companies from long-term electricity price volatility.
To make credible renewable electricity claims, companies must receive and retire the EACs associated with the renewable electricity they procure, whether from a PPA or bundled / unbundled EAC purchases. Retiring these EACs enables companies to reduce / report zero Scope 2 emissions - those associated with purchased electricity under the GHG Protocol’s market-based reporting method, even if the physical grid supply is not fully renewable.
In addition to sourcing renewable electricity through PPAs and EACs, RE100 requires that the certificates meet certain quality standards . These include geographic and vintage matching (ensuring EACs are from the same region and timeframe as electricity use), and using eligible renewable technologies such as solar, wind, geothermal, or certified sustainable biomass. Projects must also be relatively recently commissioned or repowered within the past 15 years, to ensure credible climate impact.
Benefits of reporting to RE100
Companies must report their progress annually via a standard RE100 questionnaire. This report includes details on the amount of renewable electricity used, how it was sourced (e.g., through PPAs, on-site generation such as solar PV and bundled / unbundled EACs), alongside the progress made toward their 100% target.
Transparent reporting builds investor trust, especially among those focused on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance. It also strengthens corporate reputation and credibility, helping attract sustainability-minded customers, business partners and investors. Additionally, RE100 reporting helps companies stay ahead of evolving regulations, including the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) in the EU and new climate-related disclosure rules from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Key criteria for aligning with RE100
- Annual reporting and transparency: Companies must submit an annual disclosure report via the RE100 Reporting Spreadsheet or CDP Climate Change Questionnaire. They must also publicly commit to sourcing 100% renewable electricity and transparently report progress, covering both Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions associated with their operations.
- Sourcing requirements: Renewable electricity must be sourced within the same market boundary in which it is consumed. However, companies may exclude small loads (e.g., office spaces consuming up to 100 MWh per year) from this requirement.
- Third party verification: Independent third-party verification is required for renewable electricity consumption data, and when necessary for renewable electricity generation and sales (e.g., certification of EACs such as RECs, GOs, or I-RECs).
- Alignment with RE100 objectives: Companies must not engage in activities that undermine RE100's mission. This includes publicly supporting policies that favor fossil fuels over renewables or increasing financial holdings in fossil fuel assets.
Examples of leading RE100 companies
RE100 brings together some of the world’s most prominent companies committed to sourcing 100% renewable electricity. Notable examples include:
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Google - Joined RE100 in 2015 and became the world’s largest corporate purchaser of renewable energy, reaching 100% renewable electricity by 2017 through long-term PPAs across multiple countries.
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Apple - Leveraged a combination of on-site solar and wind installations, green tariffs, power purchase agreements (PPAs), and unbundled EACs such as Green-e certified RECs, to achieve 100% renewable electricity across its global operations.
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IKEA - Invested over $2.5 billion and used extensive PPAs, bundled EACs and on-site solar/wind installations, raising renewable electricity use to approximately 80% in its retail operations and significantly advancing supply-chain adoption.
How NUS can help
For companies seeking to align with RE100 or broader renewable energy goals, NUS Consulting Group offers expert support. NUS helps clients develop reliable, cost-effective strategies to meet sustainability targets and support their decarbonization journey.
Whether you’re beginning your transition or refining an existing strategy, our team ensures regulatory alignment, procurement expertise and measurable sustainability impact.
To learn more about RE100 and how this can support your company’s decarbonisation / renewable electricity strategy, contact your local NUS consultant or email contact@nusconsulting.com.