WRI China convened supply chain businesses of global brands such as Apple, Decathlon and Lenovo to purchase affordable clean energy at unprecedented scale.

The Challenge

Decarbonizing China’s industrial supply chains remains difficult because so many businesses — particularly those in textiles, electronics and food — rely heavily on coal-fired power. Small and medium suppliers dominate these sectors and struggle to access affordable renewable energy. In manufacturing-heavy provinces such as Jiangsu and Guangdong, a minimal renewable energy supply has made prices too expensive.

Meanwhile, large multinational companies have also increased pressure on their suppliers to meet corporate emissions-reduction targets. Affordable clean energy is therefore critical for smaller supply chain businesses to remain competitive.

WRI’s Role

WRI China convened small and medium-sized businesses to pursue “aggregated renewable energy procurement,” allowing suppliers to jointly purchase renewable energy at more affordable rates.

The team organized eight closed-door meetings that fostered collaboration among brand owners, suppliers and developers supporting major brands such as Apple, Lenovo and Decathlon. WRI China also engaged a third-party law firm to create secure conditions for information-sharing and contract management. Together, we provided tailored policy and risk-mitigation insights, along with market guidance and international benchmarking aligned with global standards.

WRI China encouraged suppliers to pool their demand and negotiate collectively with energy developers. They ultimately unlocked affordable renewable electricity while ensuring alignment with the GHG Protocol, Science-Based Target Initiative and China’s evolving renewable energy policies.

The Outcome

Suppliers for Apple, Lenovo and Decathlon collectively procured 1.6 terawatt-hours of renewable electricity in 2025 across 14 Chinese provinces. That’s equivalent to powering 500,000 average households for an entire year. The deal was the largest cross-sector aggregated renewable energy procurement in China.

Approximately 200 suppliers gained access to competitively priced, high-quality clean energy that meets international standards, strengthening their ability to comply with corporate climate commitments while advancing equity in the energy transition.

Early pilots demonstrated viability and enabled rapid scaling. For example, a 200-megawatt offshore solar project was purchased by 14 of Decathlon’s suppliers. The project reduces approximately 200,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually, equivalent to taking 45,000 passenger cars off city streets. The model is now being replicated across industries, and companies like Decathlon and Lenovo are considering expanding it to other geographies.