The News:
Dell announced today it now sources 26 percent of its global electricity needs from renewable energy sources, up from 20 percent in 2008.
This increase is the result of new renewable energy partnerships in the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden and Norway with utility providers Swalec, Scottish Power Energy Retail, EVH, Mainova, Telge Energi and Hafslund.
Dell now powers nine of its facilities in the United States and Europe with 100 percent renewable energy. The facilities are located in Bracknell and Glasgow, U.K.; Frankfurt and Halle, Germany; Oslo, Norway; Stockholm, Sweden; Round Rock, Texas; Twin Falls, Idaho and Oklahoma City, Okla.
Dell’s use of renewable energy is part of its plan to reduce its facilities’ greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2015. Dell takes a three-step approach to its reduction strategy:
- First, Dell works to operate as efficiently as possible. As a result, the company’s carbon intensity (carbon dioxide emissions in relation to revenue) is among the lowest of the Global 5001 and less than half that of its closest competitor in the technology industry.
- Next, Dell consumes renewable energy where possible. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently ranked Dell among the top five in renewable energy purchasing in its latest EPA Fortune 500 Green Power Challenge. The company’s green power use has expanded quickly since April 2008, when it announced a partnership with TXU and Waste Management to power its global headquarters campus with 100 percent green power.
- Finally, Dell offsets its remaining carbon impact by purchasing credible, third-party-verified renewable energy credits. This investment helped Dell become the only company in the computer industry to achieve operational carbon neutrality in August 2008, five months ahead of schedule.
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Dell also helps suppliers achieve their environmental goals. In June 2007, the company announced that it would require primary suppliers to report CO2 emissions data during quarterly business reviews. Dell was the first IT company to join the Carbon Disclosure Project’s Supply Chain Leadership Collaboration to help suppliers with emissions reporting. Quotes:
Dane Parker, director of environment, health and safety at Dell: “We’re integrating green power into operations wherever and whenever possible. It’s critical that our industry help lead the way to a green economy. Aggressive energy efficiency and renewable-power targets are essential to making this happen.”
Kate Krebs, The Climate Group’s Director of Sustainable Resources: “The Climate Group applauds Dell’s commitment to drive demand for clean energy, improve energy efficiency and reduce its carbon footprint. The Climate Group’s Smart 2020 report illustrated how the IT sector has the potential to reduce global emissions by 15 percent and save the global industry $800 billion in annual energy costs by 2020. Dell’s leadership on energy and climate change will help us unlock the full potential of a clean, green and prosperous low-carbon future.”
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