Meta drops Net Zero pledge, exits climate group: Here's why
Meta has withdrawn from the RE100 climate initiative after investing in gas-fired power plants to meet the massive energy demands of its AI data centers. This move marks a reversal of the company's previous commitment to 100% renewable energy sourcing.
Why it matters
This highlights the growing tension between the rapid expansion of energy-intensive AI infrastructure and corporate environmental sustainability goals.
Meta -- the company behind Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp -- has reportedly withdrawn from the RE100 initiative after investments in new gas-fired power plants left the technology giant unable to meet the group’s renewable energy criteria. The decision reverses a commitment Meta made in 2020 to support a transition towards electricity generated entirely from renewable sources. Recharge first reported that Meta and RE100 had parted ways because the tech giant no longer met the initiative’s technical criteria. Meta joined RE100 as Facebook in 2016 and pledged to cover its entire operation with renewable electricity by 2020. The tech giant stated in 2021 that it had reached that target. Meta has always done so with renewable energy certificates (RECs) and PPAs, not by powering directly with renewables.RE100 is a global corporate initiative whose members commit to sourcing their electricity from renewable sources. Its members include Apple, Google and Microsoft.
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