Power Forward

The report analyzes renewable energy adoption among the world's largest corporations, finding that 59% of the Fortune 100 and 63% of the Global 100 have set greenhouse gas (GHG) or renewable energy targets. Companies are driven by cost reduction, risk hedging, and consumer demand, utilizing a mix of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), and on-site investments. Key barriers include the need for cost parity with fossil fuels, internal competition for capital, and inconsistent government policies. The report recommends that corporations set time-bound targets and that policymakers extend incentives like the U.S. Production Tax Credit (PTC) and authorize third-party PPAs to accelerate the transition.

• A significant portion of the world's largest companies have established climate goals: 59% of the Fortune 100 and 63% of the Global 100 have set "GHG emissions reduction commitments, renewable energy commitments or both."
• Corporate investment in renewable energy is motivated by business logic, specifically the ability to "reduce long-term operating costs, diversify energy supply and hedge against market volatility in traditional fuel markets."
• Companies are shifting their procurement strategies from Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) toward Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and on-site direct investment to achieve "electricity price certainty" and ensure they are "directly adding renewable capacity to the grid."
• Three primary barriers hinder the scaling of corporate renewable energy: the requirement for "cost parity or better" compared to local power, "Internal competition for capital funding," and "Short-term, inconsistent policies."
• Sectoral analysis shows that in the Fortune 100, the Materials and Telecommunications sectors lead in setting both GHG and renewable energy targets, while the Energy sector lags most, with 64% of companies having "not set either a GHG or renewable energy target."
• In the Global 100, the Utilities sector is the most proactive, with 80% of companies setting both GHG and renewable energy targets.
• The report highlights specific corporate targets, such as Google and Walmart's long-term goals for "100% renewable energy," and General Motors' target to "Utilize 125 MW of renewable energy by 2020 (globally)."
• Policy uncertainty, particularly regarding the Production Tax Credit (PTC) for wind in the U.S., creates risks for companies; the report notes that allowing the PTC to expire would "immediately raise prices for companies committed to buying renewable energy."

APA

WWF International (n.d.). Power Forward. https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/677/7mmtmyl16k_Power_Forward_FINAL_hi_res.pdf

Chicago

WWF International. Power Forward. n.d. https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/677/7mmtmyl16k_Power_Forward_FINAL_hi_res.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF International |title=Power Forward |url=https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/677/7mmtmyl16k_Power_Forward_FINAL_hi_res.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wwfinternationalndpower, author = {{WWF International}}, title = {{Power Forward}}, institution = {WWF International}, url = {https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/677/7mmtmyl16k_Power_Forward_FINAL_hi_res.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }