As the 2026 deadline for the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) climate disclosure requirements approaches, public companies are evaluating their renewable energy strategies. The big question for these companies:
How will their disclosures stack up in a market evaluating their mitigation impact?
Comparisons between different renewable energy procurement strategies including Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), and the implications of inaction will become more important in light of the new disclosures
Power Purchase Agreement: A Case Study of Amazon
Amazon has been a frontrunner in utilizing PPAs to support renewable energy. Amazon invested in more than 100 new solar and wind projects in 2023, becoming the world’s largest corporate purchaser of renewable energy for the fourth year in a row. Adam Selipsky, CEO of AWS emphasized that these agreements not only help in reducing carbon footprint but also stimulate local job markets and technological innovation in regions where the projects are located
“Amazon’s investments in solar and wind projects are helping power our operations, while also providing new sources of clean energy to the grid, spurring economic growth, and supporting jobs in the communities where our customers live and work,” said Adam Selipsky, CEO of AWS. “More than 90% of our operations were powered by renewables last year, but we’re not done. We’re focused on continuing to find innovative ways to bring new projects online, address grid constraints, and work with policymakers to mitigate the impacts of climate change, all of which is helping Amazon move closer to achieving 100% renewable energy by 2025.”
This approach demonstrates additionality by ensuring that their investments directly contribute to the development of NEW renewable energy projects that would not have occurred otherwise.
Renewable Energy Certificates: A Case Study of Apple
Apple, another tech giant, has extensively invested in RECs as part of its commitment to become 100% carbon neutral across its entire business by 2030. Lisa Jackson, Vice President of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives at Apple, has often highlighted how these certificates play a crucial role in their overall sustainability strategy.
"Purchasing RECs allows us to support renewable energy development, contributing to our goal of 100% renewable energy usage across all our operations,” said Lisa Jackson, VP of Apple.
While RECs are instrumental for companies to claim zero emissions from electricity use, they do not always guarantee the additionality seen with VPPAs, as they can be sourced from operating projects typically on an annual basis.
The Consequences of Inaction: A Hypothetical Scenario
Imagine a company called CorpNOCE, that decides not to engage in renewable energy procurement by the 2026 SEC reporting deadline, where all companies will be sharing their Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions in the same format. As competitors like Amazon and Apple showcase their proactive strategies through VPPAs and RECs, CorpNOCE reports on its Scope 1 and 2 emissions without any substantial clean energy initiatives. This inaction could lead to negative investor perceptions and potential reputational damage.
Hypothetical Investor Reaction:
"While their competitors are actively reducing their environmental impact and supporting local economies, CorpNOCE has shown no progress in aligning with sustainability standards."
Conclusion: Which Story Will You Tell?
The comparative analysis of Amazon’s and Apple's strategies illustrates the spectrum of impacts that different renewable energy purchases can have, not just on the environment but also on corporate reputation and compliance with upcoming regulations. Companies like CorpNOCE, which may choose inaction, risk an increased cost of capital because it doesn’t meet investor sustainability expectations.
Exploring the AREC Market: A Simpler Alternative
For those who are particularly concerned about the volatility of energy pricing associated with traditional VPPAs, the Additionality Renewable Energy Certificates (AREC) market offers a promising solution. This approach allows companies to support new renewable energy projects without the direct risk tied to fluctuating energy prices. By investing in ARECs, you can still claim additionality and demonstrate a clear, measurable impact on renewable energy development, in an easy and efficient way.
As we edge closer to the 2026 SEC climate disclosure deadline, it’s crucial for companies to decide the narrative they want to present to their stakeholders. Will it be one of proactive leadership and innovation, like Amazon, or a missed opportunity to align with global sustainability goals, as might be the case with CorpNOCE? The actions taken today will undoubtedly shape the sustainability stories told tomorrow.
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