United States Government Joins UN 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy Compact

24/7 CFE matches every hour of electricity consumption with carbon-free sources in an effort to combat climate change and achieve sustainable development goals.

Dubai, UAE | 5 Dec 2023: Today, at the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28), the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) announced that the United States Government has joined the United Nations (UN) 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy (CFE) Compact. The 24/7 CFE Compact, which UN-Energy and Sustainable Energy for All launched in 2021, is a voluntary commitment with over 140 participants that aims to match every hour of electricity consumption, on every energy grid globally, with carbon-free sources of electricity production. 

Andrew Mayock, Chief Sustainability Officer for the U.S. Government, made the announcement at a special event hosted by Sustainable Energy for All at the SDG7 Pavilion during COP28 held in the United Arab Emirates. This commitment to power Federal operations with 24/7 CFE reflects a significant stride in the United States’ efforts to combat climate change and accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy. By joining the 24/7 CFE Compact, the U.S. Government underscores its commitment to grid decarbonization and climate action. 

At the event, Google, a trailblazer in corporate climate leadership, shared its strategic vision and reaffirmed its commitment to achieving 24/7 carbon-free energy on every grid where it operates by 2030.  Kate Brandt, Chief Sustainability Officer of Google, in her remarks highlighted the potential of public-private partnerships in accelerating the global transition to 24/7 carbon-free energy and bridging the gap between the Global South and North by working to ensure that diverse communities and nations can access CFE innovations and benefits. 

“By joining the 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy Compact, the United States has demonstrated its commitment to addressing the climate crisis. We commend and recognize these efforts towards addressing the urgency of the situation. Sustainable Energy for All and UN-Energy are dedicated to continuing to work with the U.S. Government to build a sustainable, resilient, and carbon-free energy future for all,” said Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Sustainable Energy for All, and Co-Chair of UN-Energy.

With more than 300,000 buildings and 600,000 vehicles, the U.S. Government is the nation’s largest energy consumer. In December 2021, President Biden issued the Federal Sustainability Plan, which directed the Government to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 by transitioning to zero-emission vehicles, energy efficient buildings, and carbon-free electricity.  In particular, the Plan directs the Government to transition to 100% CFE by 2030, with at least 50% on a 24/7 basis. The U.S. Government expects the scope and scale of this electricity demand to catalyze the development of at least 10 gigawatts of new American clean electricity production by 2030.

“Today’s announcement delivers on President Biden’s vision to lead by example and build a new U.S. economy powered by clean energy. The U.S. Government’s commitment to 24/7 carbon-pollution free electricity for Federal operations is creating good-paying jobs for American workers and healthier air for communities,” said Andrew Mayock, the Federal Chief Sustainability Officer with the White House Council on Environmental Quality.

“We’re excited to welcome the U.S. Government to the 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy Compact. This is another example of the U.S. Government taking bold leadership in clean energy, not only in the U.S., but globally. We look forward to working with the U.S. government and all of the 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy Compact signatories to advance 24/7 CFE on electricity grids around the world, ” said Kate Brandt, Chief Sustainability Officer, Google.

The objective of the 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy Compact is for every kilowatt-hour of electricity consumption to be met with carbon-free energy sources at every hour of every day, everywhere. The movement, now over 140 members strong, is based on the following actions:

• Time-matched procurement: matching hourly electricity consumption with carbon-free energy generation. Hourly matching helps connect clean energy purchasing to the underlying electricity consumption.

• Local procurement: purchasing clean energy on the specific local/regional electricity grids where it is consumed. 

• Technology-inclusive: recognizing the need to create zero-carbon electricity systems as quickly as possible. All Carbon-Free Energy technologies can play a role in creating this future.

• Enabling new generation: focusing on delivering additional Carbon-Free Energy to drive the rapid decarbonization of electricity systems.
• Maximizing system impact: addressing the dirtiest hours of electricity consumption, when the most fossil fuel is used in generation.

About the 24/7 CFE Compact:

The 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy Compact is a global initiative dedicated to advancing sustainable, carbon-free energy solutions worldwide. For more information, visit https://gocarbonfree247.com/the-movement/

About SEforALL:

Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) is an international organization working towards universal energy access and a sustainable energy future. For more information, visit https://www.seforall.org/.