The COVID-19 pandemic is placing a significant burden on economies around the globe, including those in Europe. Konica Minolta therefore welcomes the sizeable plan presented by the European Union to support the economic recovery in its Member States. The company particularly highlights the ambitious goal of ‘green growth’. However, Konica Minolta is hoping for the additional inclusion of support for renewable energy sourcing by companies in the proposal. As a member of the renewable energy initiative RE100, Konica Minolta therefore welcomes RE-Source’s initiative in demanding the integration of such activities into the EU’s recovery plan.
"We welcome the EU’s strong economic recovery plan from the current COVID-19 crisis and its impact on European economies.The entailed push for a green economy in particular is a positive, bold stance with ambitious goals and meaningful measures. What we would additionally hope for, however, is the inclusion of measures that would help companies shift their energy consumption towards renewable resources. This would enable a major step in the meaningful transition from a carbon-based towards a renewable energy economy," Keiji Okamoto, President of Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe
With this position, Konica Minolta is in line with the initiative taken by RE-Source, the European platform for corporate renewable energy sourcing. In an open letter published on 27 May, RE-Source urged the European Union to take action in supporting corporate renewable sourcing. As a member of the RE100 program, Konica Minolta is one of the 230 largest global businesses that have committed to completely relying on renewable energy. RE100 members are set to stimulate investment in renewables worth EUR 90 billion[1] over the next ten years, much of this in Europe. The initiative emphasises the importance of support for energy consumers in securing an electricity supply from renewable sources at competitive prices, which is crucial if the EU wishes to reach target of 32 percent renewable energy by 2030.
Konica Minolta joined the RE100 programme in January 2019 in line with its goal of contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, such as combating climate change. This leadership initiative is committed to bringing together influential businesses to source energy supplies from 100 percent renewable sources. Konica Minolta is set to achieve this goal by 2050. Its European headquarters, Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe, is already contributing to the goal by using electricity from renewable resources. Further, all Konica Minolta locations in Germany, the United Kingdom and most locations in Austria are operated with electricity from renewable sources. Outside Europe, for example, its production site for multi-functional peripherals (MFPs) and digital printing systems in Wuxi, China, was certified as a Clean Production Company by the city, making the company a leader in environmental stewardship in China.
“Within the framework of this unprecedented stimulus, now is the perfect opportunity for the European Union to take a courageous step towards green energy leadership. We would be very grateful for Europe’s leaders to seize it,” Okamoto concludes.
