Firmenich has announced it has joined RE100, a global initiative of the world's most influential companies -- all committed to 100% renewable power. As of today, all of the company's manufacturing sites in the U.S. and Europe are operating with 100% renewable electricity.

Firmenich says the milestone achievement brings the company a step closer to meeting its goal of operating on 100% renewable electricity across all of its production sites by 2020.

Firmenich joins more than 160 major businesses in the global RE100 initiative, which is led by the international non-profit The Climate Group, in partnership with CDP. Other members of the RE100 include Google, Lego, Apple and Nike.

Gilbert Ghostine, CEO, Firmenich says, "I am confident we will reach our goal of 100% for all our sites worldwide by 2020. It is critical that business partners together to tackle climate change with a sense of urgency, which is why we have joined RE100 and the 160 world-class companies committed to driving the world's economy towards sustainability."

Jane Sinclair, head of legal & compliance and general counsel, Firmenich, adds, "In 2018, 78% of our global electricity came from renewable sources, and we are on our way to reach 90% of renewable electricity globally in 2019. Our teams are fully dedicated to fighting the urgent climate crisis and scaling up our actions with other like-minded companies in the RE100 initiative."

Sam Kimmins, head of RE100, The Climate Group, says, "By joining RE100 and committing to source 100% renewable electricity by 2020, Firmenich is proving that it's possible for big businesses to set ambitious targets that speed up the global transition to clean energy."

Neil McFarlane, senior VP quality, health, safety, security & environment, Firmenich, explains, "To achieve our goal of 100% renewable electricity by 2020, we are not only relying on the purchase of green electricity, we are also collaborating with our suppliers to develop onsite clean solutions such as wind power and solar energy."

McFarlane continues, "We look forward to partnering with RE100 and its member companies to push our thinking and help ease the transition towards a more sustainable global economy."

More about Firmenich's 2020 environmental goals and commitments to climate change management are outlined in its Performance and Sustainability Report 2018.