Origin Energy claims it is the first energy company in the world to fully commit to an internationally recognised business initiative on climate change that includes putting a price on carbon.
Origin has endorsed all seven climate leadership commitments developed by UK environmental not-for-profit organisation CDP and We Mean Business, a coalition of businesses backing a transition to a low carbon economy.
“Energy production is responsible for two thirds of global carbon emissions, which means energy companies must play a central role in delivering the solutions that will help to reduce emissions globally,” Origin chairman Gordon Cairns said.
More than 200 companies, almost 40 of them in Australia, have endorsed at least one of the commitments formulated by CDP, formally known as Carbon Disclosure Project.
Coca Cola, Nestle, Pepsi and Unilever are among the other companies involved.
The initiative will be showcased at next month’s Australian Climate Leadership Summit in Sydney, which is a lead-in event to the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris starting on 30 November.
Origin’s climate commitments include:
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- Putting a price on carbon
- Adopting a science-based emissions reduction target
- 100 per cent of electricity for its own operations and offices to come from renewable sources
- Report climate change information in mainstream reports as a fiduciary duty
- Remove commodity driven deforestation from all supply chains by 2020
- Reduce short-lived climate pollutant emissions
- Responsible corporate engagement in climate policy
Origin is a major supplier of electricity and gas to South Australian homes and businesses.
– AAP
