Ernst & Young initiates wind farm project

Ernst & Young officials said the firm has initiated construction of two large-scale Texas-based wind farms expected to generate enough zero-carbon electricity to offset absolute greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

The entity has entered into renewable energy Virtual Power Purchase Agreements (VPPAs) to begin the effort. The wind farms are scheduled to be operational by mid-2020.

“These agreements actively address the environmental impact of our business and will become the cornerstone of our low carbon strategy, yielding significant economic and risk mitigation benefits,” Leisha John, EY Americas director of Environmental Sustainability, said. “We are proud to join other leading organizations who believe we must harness our influence and scale to drive measurable progress for our planet and future generations. We hope it will inspire others to think of innovative ways they, too, can contribute to a more sustainable environment.”

The agreements enable Ernst & Young to catalyze additional carbon-free energy supply to the grid, officials said, noting it would help power nation with cleaner energy sources.

“This belief underpins our duty to drive inclusive growth through responsible business practices, helping to create a world where everyone, everywhere is able to contribute to and share in prosperity,” Michael J. Inserra, EY Americas deputy managing partner and senior vice chair, said. “Environmental sustainability is an essential component of inclusive growth and we will continue to look for ways to measure and reduce the environmental impact of our business operations.”