Visa, a world leader in digital payments, meets its goal to use 100 percent renewable electricity by 2020, thereby advancing its commitment to lead responsibly and sustainably across its global operations, including 131 offices in 76 countries and four global processing centers.

Visa leverages renewable electricity options available in each country that best fit the country’s approach to renewable energy byassociating with local utilities and competitive electricity market providers.Specific actions by Visa include enrollments in renewable electricity programs offered by Total Energy in UK, Xcel Energy in Colorado, Austin Energy in Texas and Peninsula Clean Energy in the San Francisco Bay Area.Visa also follows the guidelines of RE100, a global collaborative of influential businesses committed to 100 percent renewable power led by The Climate Group in partnership with CDP.It has also become a member of the Renewable Energy Buyers Alliance (REBA); and signed the Renewable Energy Buyer’s Principles.

“At Visa, we see both a responsibility and an opportunity to make broad shifts toward a sustainable and inclusive future,” says Al Kelly, Chief Executive Officer,Visa Inc. “I’m proud of the investments we’ve made in our infrastructure to reach this important renewable energy milestone. We will continue to prioritize advancing the role of our business and industry in transitioning to a cleaner global economy,” he adds.

By attaining 100 percent renewable electricity goal,

With the world’s growing focus on the global challenges of climate change, we recognize and understand the need to play a leadership role in helping build a more sustainable future

Visa moderates the greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity the company consumes (Scope 2 emissions), reducing its operational emissions from its facilities and data centers by almost 90 percent versus the company’s 2014 baseline. This achievement builds on Visa’s broader sustainability strategy,
which has received industry recognition including Dow Jones Sustainability North American Index since 2017, an FTSE4Good Index Member, and being named an ‘Outperformer’ in the Software and Services sector by Sustainalytics in 2018.

“With the world’s growing focus on the global challenges of climate change, we recognize and understand the need to play a leadership role in helping build a more sustainable future,” says Douglas Sabo, Vice President &Head -Corporate Responsibility &Sustainability, Visa Inc. “For Visa, this achievement shows how we are dedicated to being a force for good and leading the way in sustainable business practices,” he adds.

“We congratulate Visa on their exciting announcement that they have reached 100 percent renewable electricity – it shows that it is possible for companies to switch to clean energy at speed,” asserts Amy Davidsen, Executive Director – North America, The Climate Group. “What’s also really impressive is that Visa worked with other key stakeholders to increase renewable electricity capacity in the areas they operate. Leadership action like this helps accelerate market change and reduces greenhouse gas emissions,” Amy adds.