Some MNCs are ahead of the field when it comes to sustainability

Multinational companies are using innovation to drive sustainability in a variety of ways, all with the aim of combating climate change.

“At Salesforce, we consider the planet a key stakeholder, which is why we have made sustainability one of our core values alongside innovation, trust, customer success and equality,” says Carolan Lennon, country leader, salesforce Ireland.

“We believe the future belongs to businesses who act now to embed environmental, social and corporate governance into everything they do. We’re proud to be making those changes already, having achieved net-zero emissions across our full value chain, and reaching 100 per cent renewable energy to power our global operations.”

It is helping its clients too, as Lennon explains: “Making sustainability one of our core values means we are committed to helping accelerate the world’s journey to net zero. That is why we have developed Net Zero Cloud, which brings the full power of the Salesforce system to help organisations of all sizes to track and measure their carbon footprint, accelerating their own sustainability journeys.”

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This is especially relevant in a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape which will see ever more organisations required to report on their sustainability metrics.

“Many Irish businesses will need to comply with the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive from next year, and Net Zero Cloud is equipped with our Einstein AI layer to help simplify that process,” says Lennon.

Salesforce has been on its sustainability journey for more than a decade, she adds: “We know that to address climate change we have to prioritise emissions reduction, and increase carbon removal from the atmosphere, and we need to do both simultaneously.

“We are taking action to enhance the world’s natural systems to sequester carbon from the atmosphere, which is why we cofounded 1t.org, the global movement to restore, conserve and grow one trillion trees by 2030. Closer to home, to celebrate 20 years in Ireland in 2020, we committed to planting 20,000 trees in partnership with Seal Rescue Ireland.”

Telecoms company BT is making an impact too, according to Steve Coakley, network proposition manager at BT Ireland.

“To date, where markets allow, we’ve switched to 100 per cent renewable electricity worldwide,” he explains. “We have reduced carbon intensity by 55 per cent and to date we have saved 935,000 tonnes of CO2e for our customers.”

BT Ireland has also pledged to become a net-zero carbon emissions business for its supply chain and its customers by March 2041.

“We have a range of sustainability solutions that support a customer’s approach to reducing their [Greenhouse Gas Protocol] scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions,” says Coakley.

The company’s digital carbon calculator already tracks and optimises carbon footprint for its customers’ networks, servers and end-point devices, he adds; its carbon network dashboard goes a step further to view real-time power use.

“Our investments in the latest global networking technologies – BT’s Global Fabric – reduce our energy intensity for delivering global networking services by 79 per cent,” says Coakley. “This will actively reduce our customers’ carbon footprints and we will continue innovating to push the boundaries of sustainable IT.”

Schneider Electric is also on the green road. “We’ve always been renowned as an engineering-led manufacturer of electrical equipment and digital tools designed to help our customers navigate the complexities of digital transformation, energy management and automation,” says Chris Collins, the company’s country president Ireland.

“But ultimately, Schneider Electric is a sustainability practitioner that helps organisations to take positive climate action by reducing energy waste and lowering CO2 emissions.”

Collins believes we are on the cusp of a new energy landscape powered by decentralised electrical systems such as microgrids – self-contained sites that allow you to generate your own electricity using a mix of renewables – that will relieve pressure on national grid networks.

“Our technology and equipment are integral to this transformation,” he says. “Our sensors and digital tools provide the data and analysis needed to extend the life cycle of assets at power grids, industrial sites and large buildings.”

Pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson has been setting and achieving ambitious sustainability goals for more than two decades.

“Our current goals were updated in 2024 and have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). In addition, Johnson & Johnson also has a longer-term ambition to reach net-zero emissions across its value chain by 2045,” says Adrian McCarthy, energy strategy lead at Johnson & Johnson.

“In Ireland our dedication to sustainability is exemplified by the installation of on-site wind turbines dating back to 2014. We have implemented a comprehensive strategy blending renewable energy initiatives, alongside innovative heat recovery tactics and the integration of alternative fuels.”

A pivotal moment in J&J’s journey occurred in 2020 through a power purchase agreement (PPA).

“This partnership ensured that our entire electricity consumption across our Irish sites would be sourced from renewable origins, encompassing two off-site wind farms in Ireland complemented by the existing on-site renewable generation,” McCarthy explains. “Not only did this significantly reduce our carbon footprint but it also contributes to the development of clean energy infrastructure and supports the growth of the renewable energy sector in Ireland.”

Coca-Cola plans to hit net zero in Europe by 2040. As part of its World Without Waste strategy the company has committed to collecting one bottle or can for each one it sells by 2030.

“This is being achieved by driving circularity, investing in product innovation and reducing our packaging footprint,” says Conor Neylan, director in public affairs, communications and sustainability at Coca-Cola Ireland.

The company has invested significantly in this. “Last year we made the move to 100 per cent recycled plastic across our entire soft drinks range,” says Neylan. “This is a key sustainability milestone for Coca-Cola on the island of Ireland and will help eliminate more virgin plastic from circulation while lowering our carbon emissions footprint.”

The company is lighting the way for others too by showing that investment in sustainable practices actually adds to the bottom line. Coca-Cola Ballina was the first Coca-Cola facility worldwide to be added to the World Economic Forum’s Global Lighthouse Network, a platform that recognises facilities using advanced technologies to boost sustainability.

“Through the use of innovative technology, the team at Coca-Cola Ballina has reduced its energy use by 29 per cent, bringing emissions back to 2011 levels while increasing production,” says Neylan.