Commercial, GHG Emissions, Industrial, Regulation, Commercial, Industrial, Regulation, Sourcing Renewables  -  June 2, 2017 - By John Failla

How to create your company's clean energy future

President Trump's decision to pull the U.S. out of the Paris climate accord is not a death sentence for corporate renewable energy adoption.

In my view, there are too many factors at play that can and will continue to drive growth in corporate renewable sourcing. Case in point:

• Many of the largest global corporations are already committed to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions
• State and local governments are using energy policy to attract (and retain) growing businesses that care about the availability of renewable energy options
• Sustainability commitments at companies of all types and sizes will continue to increase

With that said, there is worry that companies beyond the Fortune 100 who either feel they are too small to get into the game, or are on the fence about making a commitment to renewable energy, may temper their interest in light of the President's decision. We can't afford to let that happen. The challenge to close the clean energy gap between the large companies already committed to clean energy and the remaining 90% of the commercial and industrial sector in the face of diminished federal support can be met head-on by coordinated action.

There are three possible actions in response to Trump's decision: do nothing; complain; or take action to drive adoption of renewable energy in your organization.

At Smart Energy Decisions, we've launched a Renewable Energy Sourcing Initiative to help those who choose to take action. Working in partnership with an steering committee of industry executives including Rob Threlkeld, global manager of renewable energy for General Motors Co., as committee chair; Adam Kramer, executive vice president of strategy at Switch; Dave Reid, global energy and productivity leader at Celanese; Michael Barry, head of sustainable business operations at Bloomberg LP; Jeff Myrdek, global energy leader for CBRE Group Inc./Cisco Systems Inc.; Art Justice, vice president of energy and sustainability at Cinemark Theatres and David Templeman, director of environmental, health and safety at CBS Corp. and additional input from Smart Energy Decisions advisory board members including executives from Amazon Web Services, Becton Dickinson, HP, Lockheed Martin, Merck, Procter & Gamble and Whole Foods Market Inc., we're doing the following:

1. Developing a landmark research project to benchmark how large commercial and industrial companies are pursuing renewable energy sourcing. This study represents a major effort by Smart Energy Decisions to provide the first data-driven resource corporate buyers can use to chart a course and secure internal support for renewable energy sourcing.
2. Hosting the inaugural Smart Energy Decisions Renewable Energy Sourcing Forum this November to help accelerate the adoption of best practices in corporate renewable energy sourcing. Corporate buyers from 25 large commercial and industrial companies have already confirmed their participation in this intimate, invitation-only event along with a dozen major renewable energy suppliers. Through a blend of keynote presentations, energy executive-only sessions, panel discussions, private boardroom briefings and one-on-one meetings with suppliers, topics addressed at the event will include renewable energy product options; deal structures; risk management and financing strategies; common pitfalls to avoid and more. Energy services and advisory firm Edison Energy, powered by Altenex, has signed on to the event as the presenting sponsor.

We think the range of responses to current developments in the market are clear. As such, we've decided to take decisive action to help close the clean energy gap and advance the adoption of renewable energy. As a community, we can make a difference. We hope you'll join us.

John Failla
Founder & Editorial Director
Smart Energy Decisions
[email protected]

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