Purchase, N.Y.-based PepsiCo Inc. announced plans to achieve 100 percent renewable electricity of its U.S. direct operations this year. This means that some of America’s favorite beverages and snacks, including bubbly, Gatorade and Pepsi, will soon be made using electricity from renewable sources, such as wind and solar.

The United States is PepsiCo’s largest operation and encompasses nearly half of the company’s total global electricity consumption. The food and beverage company’s efforts in the U.S. build upon its global progress in switching to renewable electricity around the world. For example, nine countries in PepsiCo’s European direct operations already meet 100 percent of their electricity demand from renewable sources. Additionally, in 2018, 76 percent of the electricity needs of the PepsiCo Mexico Foods business were delivered by wind energy.

“We have entered a decade that will be critical for the future of our planet’s health,” said Ramon Laguarta, chairman and chief executive officer of PepsiCo, in a statement. “PepsiCo is pursuing 100 percent renewable electricity in the U.S. because the severe threat that climate change poses to the world demands faster and bolder action from all of us.”

PepsiCo’s shift to renewable electricity in the United States this year is expected to deliver a 20 percent reduction in company-wide direct operations and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions relative to a 2015 baseline. This represents a significant contribution to the company’s goal of reducing absolute GHG emissions across its global value chain by 20 percent by 2030 against a 2015 baseline.

“As an industry leader, we have a responsibility to help spur the use of renewable energy in the U.S., while encouraging the kind of systemic change that can build a more sustainable food system. This is another step forward in that journey,” said PepsiCo Chief Sustainability Officer Simon Lowden.

Alongside these measures, PepsiCo continues to expand its onsite renewable electricity. The company recently installed new solar panels at its global headquarters in Purchase, N.Y., complementing other solar energy installations throughout the country. These include PepsiCo beverage facilities in Fresno, Calif., and Tolleson, Ariz., among others. BI