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Several major companies, including Google, AstraZeneca, and Vodafone UK, have recently joined forces in a groundbreaking initiative aimed at revolutionizing how businesses source clean energy. Their goal? To ensure a shift towards 100% carbon-free power at every hour of the day, not just when renewable sources happen to be available.
Unveiled at New York Climate Week, the Climate Group's latest venture—the 24/7 Carbon-Free Coalition—is leading this effort. A pilot program has been introduced, setting the stage for corporations to go beyond relying solely on renewable energy goals. Instead, they aim to transition fully to carbon-free energy, laying the groundwork for a broader campaign rollout by 2025.
The coalition, also backed by key players like Iron Mountain Data Centers, Shree Cement, and AirTrunk, is striving to show how advanced energy storage solutions and adaptive grid technologies can finally synchronize clean energy supply with real-time business demand. This marks a critical step toward proving that it is possible to power operations entirely with carbon-free electricity every minute of the day.
Many companies have already pledged to achieve net-zero emissions and adopt 100% renewable energy. However, the intermittent nature of renewable sources often forces them to rely on grid power, which comes from a blend of sources, while offsetting this by purchasing clean energy equivalents.
Experts assert that a fully decarbonized energy grid will require the use of advanced, flexible technologies to balance clean energy supply with real-world demand. The Climate Group believes businesses can lead this charge by setting more ambitious goals and moving toward uninterrupted, 24/7 access to carbon-free energy.
"We are asking ambitious business leaders to go further to reduce carbon emissions by choosing to use carbon-free electricity 24 hours a day, seven days a week," said Helen Clarkson, Climate Group CEO.
"By taking this step, the 24/7 Carbon-Free Coalition's Founding Partners and other corporates that change their electricity procurement will help accelerate the roll-out of new renewables, advance battery, and carbon-free tech, and eliminate the need for 'back-up' fossil fuels."
The Climate Group emphasized that adopting 24/7 carbon-free electricity targets will drive innovation by accelerating the development and deployment of various technologies. This includes expanding renewable energy capacity, enhancing battery storage solutions, and leveraging flexible grid technologies to ensure clean power availability, even during times of low renewable generation.
Additionally, the group argued that corporate participation in local grid initiatives would motivate businesses to collaborate with policymakers and regional stakeholders, fostering systemic change within the energy sector. Through these efforts, companies could play a pivotal role in advancing cleaner, more resilient energy systems on a broader scale.
"Google set a goal in 2020 to run on 24/7 carbon-free energy on every grid where we operate by 2030," said Kate Brandt, chief sustainability officer at Google. "Innovative partnerships are key to making 24/7 CFE a reality for everyone, and we're excited to work with other climate leaders on this important challenge.
"Whether you're already targeting 24/7 CFE or just getting started on your journey, together we can accelerate decarbonization in this critical decade for climate action."
Liz Chatwin, Vice President of Global Sustainability at AstraZeneca, highlighted that while companies may be at different stages of their clean energy journey, setting 24/7 carbon-free power as a long-term goal can significantly accelerate the adoption of renewable energy. This vision, she noted, can drive more substantial progress across industries.
"At AstraZeneca, we want to play a role in enabling the energy transition and a collective shift in corporate mindsets by demonstrating that 24/7 CFE is not only possible but brings many benefits," she said.
The launch of the 24/7 Carbon-Free Coalition also aligns with new research from the Climate Group and Ramboll, which reveals that nearly half of global businesses are willing to pay a premium for lower-emission steel and concrete.
The report, "The Steel and Concrete Transformation: 2024 Market Outlook on Lower Emission Steel and Concrete," surveyed over 250 companies in 42 countries and 21 industries to assess their readiness to adopt and pay for low-emission materials.
While the findings are primarily optimistic, cost remains the primary obstacle, cited by 84% of respondents. In contrast, industry conservatism and lack of awareness were flagged by only around a third of those surveyed.
Industry leaders have clarified that governments must play a vital role in this transition. Financial mechanisms such as tax incentives, credits, subsidies, and carbon pricing, alongside the implementation of product standards or embodied carbon limits, are essential in overcoming cost barriers and fostering the shift towards greener materials.
"Business leaders are not only calling for change - they're enacting it," said Jen Carson, Climate Group's head of industry. "This report is a real temperature check of the market. It's hugely encouraging to see the appetite is here, now, for organisations to pay a premium for lower-emission steel and concrete. Actors across the value chain - suppliers, governments, and investors - should take note.
"But there's deep work to be done to speed up progress," added Carson. "It's critical that businesses can make the right choices for their operations and the planet and switch to lower emission steel and concrete. Governments must listen to their concerns, support their ambition, and act quickly to remove barriers. This way, we can unlock corporate demand to drive real sector transformation."
A separate study from the Mission Possible Partnership (MPP) was released on the same day, advocating for establishing government-backed agencies to serve as intermediaries in emerging green commodity markets. These agencies would provide financial support to help lower or eliminate the "green premium" associated with low-carbon steel, fertilizer, and other sustainable commodities.
The MPP report argued that such agencies could play a crucial role in bridging the gap between supply and demand by offering the necessary financing to make low-carbon alternatives more cost-competitive. This approach could accelerate the adoption of greener materials and reduce the financial burden on businesses looking to transition.
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