In an unprecedented industry collaboration, a coalition of prominent American companies has launched a Clean Energy Procurement Academy to “build capacity of select supply chain partners in energy markets that contribute material volumes of greenhouse gas emissions.”
This groundbreaking initiative was founded by Apple and Nike in collaboration with the Clean Energy Buyers Institute (CEBI), a non-profit working to solve the “toughest market and policy barriers to achieving a carbon-free energy system in collaboration with policymakers, leading philanthropies, and energy market stakeholders.”
“To address the climate crisis, we need to act quickly to expand access to clean energy around the world. Businesses can help drive that change,” said the Vice President of Environment and Supply Chain Innovation at Apple Sarah Chandler.
“As we make progress to ensure every Apple product is carbon neutral by 2030, we will continue to work closely with our global suppliers to support their transition to renewable energy. We’re proud to collaborate with CEBA and others to expand those efforts beyond our supply chain and across industries,” Chandler added.
The Clean Energy Procurement Academy aims to equip businesses with clean energy tools, knowledge, and expertise. As the CEBI explains in a press release announcing the move, it was designed to “speed up the integration of clean energy into global supply” by blending in-person and online training with “comprehensive educational resources.”
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Some notable companies that have joined the initiative as founding organizations include Amazon, Meta, PepsiCo, and REI Co-op.
“The Clean Energy Procurement Academy is key to breaking down barriers to clean energy adoption, while also helping us demonstrate demand and advocate for clean energy solutions in essential regions. Collaborating cross-industry helps us tackle systemic challenges together,” Nike’s Chief Sustainability Officer Noel Kinder said.
The academy, CEBI points out, is the first major initiative of the non-profit’s Global Programs, launched with Google’s support in 2022.
CEBI adds that the initiative is supported by the We Mean Business Coalition, which recently coordinated an open letter by 131 major global companies (including IKEA, Nestlé, Heineken, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Danone, eBay, Volvo, Ørsted, and Unilever) urging decision-makers at COP28 to phase out fossil fuels.
The Clean Energy Procurement Academy represents a pivotal step in the fight against climate change and the transformation of global supply chains. Through the combined efforts of major companies, this initiative has the potential to empower companies to adopt clean energy solutions, accelerating the transition to a more sustainable future.
As the Academy gains momentum, the collective impact of these industry leaders is expected to be significant in reducing supply chain emissions and fostering a greener, cleaner planet for generations to come.
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by the authors are their own, not those of Impakter.com — Featured Photo Credit: Anna Jiménez Calaf.
