Meta quits clean energy pledge amid natural gas power plant investments

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has left RE100, a global initiative committed to sourcing 100% renewable electricity. The Climate Group, which runs RE100, confirmed Meta's withdrawal, stating the company could no longer meet the technical criteria due to investments in new natural gas power plants.

This move by Meta comes as tech companies, including Microsoft and Google, are expanding their data center operations. Meta has reportedly made deals to finance the construction of new natural gas power plants, including ten specifically to support its Hyperion data center in Louisiana. While natural gas is often termed a "bridge fuel," its extraction and burning contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.

A Meta spokesperson asserted that the company remains committed to renewable energy investments and continues to match its electricity consumption with 100% clean energy on an annual basis, a goal it has met since 2020 through power purchase agreements. However, the Climate Group indicated that these efforts were insufficient given Meta's new investments in gas power.

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After several in-depth conversations between Meta and Climate Group, Meta has withdrawn from the RE100 initiative, as it is no longer able to meet the technical criteria due to investments made in new gas power.