May 10, 2021

A Sustainable Future: Inside McDonald's Commitment to Renewable Energy

We only have one planet. And it's up to all of us to ensure the world is both safe and liveable for future generations. But individual action can only go so far. 

To truly protect the environment and stave off the effects of climate change, businesses need to get involved. They need to take a step back from their current practices, to actively examine their role in causing environmental harm, and actively consider how they can mitigate that. This is a guiding pillar for McDonald's. 

We are one of the largest restaurant chains in the world, with 37,000 global locations in over 100 countries. We recognize that our actions have a significant impact on the planet. That's why we've committed ourselves to sustainability. 

Here are just a few of the initiatives we have in the works in that regard.

In 2018, McDonald's became the first restaurant company in the world to set a science-based target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Working with the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi), a collaborative coalition dedicated to institutionalizing and establishing frameworks for environmental protection, we announced our intent to partner with franchisees and suppliers to reduce emissions at our restaurants and offices by 36 percent and across our supply chain by 31 percent by 2030. Renewable energy plays a critical role in meeting this target, alongside sustainable food sourcing, waste reduction, and recycling.

By setting this target, notes SBTi, we've established a clear roadmap for our climate action. We know what we need to do, and where we need to be. All that remains is getting there.  

In 2020, McDonald’s completed three new virtual power purchase agreements (VPPAs). 

VPPAs are investments that increase renewable energy capacity by helping to build renewable energy projects, such as wind and solar farms, ultimately adding renewable energy to the nation’s power grid. 

The three new projects (two wind farms and one portfolio of solar projects) are slated to be built in Illinois, Oklahoma, North Carolina and Ohio.

November 2019 saw us sign 2 separate VPPA’s with two major developers of renewable energy. The first, Aviator Wind West, is a wind power project located in Coke County, Texas. The other is a large solar project, also located in Texas. 

Combined, McDonald’s share of the five wind and solar projects will have a total capacity of 1130 megawatts. That’s enough to power about 8,000 McDonald’s restaurants. The solar panels alone would cover the surface area of New York’s Central Park seven times.

Once these projects are complete, we expect them to add considerable progress to our SBTi emissions goals.  

This past July, we unveiled a flagship Net Zero energy-designed restaurant.   

Located in Orlando, Florida, this restaurant is completely self-sustainable, generating all of its power from its own sources of renewable energy. Utilizing solar panels, solar glass panels, green spaces, kinetic bikes, and low-flow plumbing fixtures, this location is one of the first restaurants in the world designed to have Net Zero status. We will pursue the Zero Energy Certification from the International Living Future Institute, a coalition dedicated to healthy workplaces, renewable energy, and sustainable design. 

It's not just in our restaurants that we're committed to sustainable energy. Our partnered organizations, too, are just as focused on protecting the environment as we are. Ronald McDonald House Charities, for instance, set a goal of improving overall energy efficiency by 20 percent by the end of this year. 

Additionally, across all seven RMHC Global Regions, Chapters are continually incorporating sustainability into building design and operation through a mix of government grants, donor-funded technologies, and partnerships. Some of RMHC's initiatives include: 

• Solar power. 

• Geothermal power.  

• Solar water heating.

• Reduced water consumption via low-water native plants.  

• Partnered purchases of off-site renewable energy.  

Discussions With Government

At McDonald's, we're doing our best to act as an example for other businesses interested in sustainability and climate action. Part of that involves recognizing that we have a responsibility to add our voice to the discussion. We cannot, after all, set an example for others by action alone.

We must also be willing to speak up and speak out. That's why in October 2018, we presented a climate action briefing to the United States Congress. This briefing detailed not only the steps we have taken towards greater sustainability, social good, and renewable energy ourselves but also how others might follow our example.  

More recently, we joined several major corporations in calling for Congress to include renewable energy in its next COVID-19 relief package, so that we may continue our support for climate action through the pandemic.  

Our Commitment To A Sustainable Future

McDonald's is one of the world's largest restaurant chains. Everything we do leaves a lasting impact. We believe it is our responsibility to ensure our impact is a positive one. 

That's why we're so committed to using our scale for good. Why we're working to promote sustainability, renewability, and environmental care. Because at the end of the day, we only have one planet. 

And it's up to all of us to work together in protecting it.