More US firms join Obama’s climate pledge

More than 70 additional US companies have signed President Obama’s pledge to help tackle climate change. ‘The American Business Act on Climate Pledge’ has been signed by 154 firms in […]

More than 70 additional US companies have signed President Obama’s pledge to help tackle climate change.

‘The American Business Act on Climate Pledge’ has been signed by 154 firms in total including 21st Century Fox, Adobe, Amazon and Facebook.

These pledges include goals such as reducing emissions by 50%, cutting water usage by 80% and achieving zero waste-to-landfill.

They also consist of purchasing 100% renewable energy and zero-net deforestation in supply chains.

Tech giant Apple has pledged to bring around 280MW of clean power online by the end of 2016. It has already cut its carbon emissions by 48% and runs on 100% renewable energy.

Coca-Cola aims to reduce its carbon footprint by 25% by 2020.

Disney has a long term goal of zero net greenhouse gas emissions. By 2020 it will reduce net emissions by 50% from 2012 levels.

The announcement states the President’s Climate Action Plan will cut nearly six billion tons of carbon pollution through 2030 and the Clean Power Plan is expected to reduce emissions from the energy sector by 32% by 2030.

The White House stated: “We applaud the growing number of countries that have already set ambitious targets for climate action. In this context, we support the conclusion of a climate change agreement in Paris that takes a strong step forward toward a low carbon, sustainable future.”

Heads of state from six countries as well as the World Bank President joined forces to urge other nations and businesses to put a price on carbon pollution at the COP21 in Paris.

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