09.18.23
Colgate-Palmolive has signed a 20-year virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) for a solar energy farm outside of Waco, TX.
The new 209-megawatt Markum Solar Farm will be a long-term source of clean, renewable energy in the United States. With start-up anticipated in 2025, the project is expected to produce the equivalent of 100% of the company’s US-based operational electricity needs.
This news follows the company’s 2022 announcement that it was the first large multinational company in the Consumer Durables, Household and Personal Products sector to have its Net Zero Carbon targets approved by The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
“Colgate is committed to making progress towards our ambitious net zero goals, and we are pursuing this important priority through innovative and diverse ways that are proven and measurable,” said Ann Tracy, chief sustainability officer. “Renewable energy agreements are a valuable part of our renewable energy master plan and will help us achieve our targets of Net Zero carbon emissions by 2040 and 100% renewable electricity across our global operations by 2030.”
Climate Action A Longstanding Goal
Colgate has been working to address climate change and disclose greenhouse gas emissions data for over 20 years. Accelerating Action on Climate Change is core to its 2025 Sustainability & Social Impact Strategy. As part of this strategy, the Company continues to construct on-site solar projects for operations globally and, in 2022, completed four new on-site solar installations at Colgate facilities in Turkey, South Africa, Argentina, and Brazil, bringing the total number of locations with on-site solar to 17. As of December 31, 2022, approximately 52% of Colgate’s global electricity consumption was sourced from renewable energy.