At Goodman Fielder, energy use represents the primary source of greenhouse gas emissions from our operations. Using a combination of electricity and thermal fuel, we make, store and distribute products and ingredients around the Pacific and beyond. In 2018, over 60% of global electricity was generated using fossil fuels. Across our operations electricity represents about 50,000 tonnes CO2-e per year and while these emissions occur at the point of generation (not at our facilities) we are taking responsibility for driving an increase in demand for renewable electricity generation. Beyond the direct emission reduction benefit a switch to renewable electricity is also a fundamental building block for our broader net zero ambition. For example, the benefit of replacing a natural gas boiler with an electric heat pump is dramatically reduced if the electricity is also generated from fossil fuels.
Focussing on our own sites across Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, New Caledonia and PNG, we have delivered a long list of energy efficiency and productivity improvements within manufacturing sites, depots, warehouses and freight centres. Additionally, solar panels installed in Fiji have generated over 1000 MWh of electricity, feeding power to the local operations since 2018. Since January 2021, our New Zealand operations achieved 100% renewable electricity for all GF sites, depots and offices via the purchase of renewable electricity certificates. From July 2021 – December 2023 we also achieved this in Australia via the purchase of renewable electricity certificates. For our renewable electricity target in Australia, we are reviewing our approach to focus on how we can transition our own operations, via insetting, in the place of offsetting where possible. We look forward to sharing this plan in 2024 once it is finalised.
We will continue to investigate opportunities to invest in on-site renewable energy generation recognising that our electricity requirements are greater than the renewable electricity generation potential at our sites. To ensure this approach delivers the intended benefits we will align with the technical guidelines of RE100 a global initiative that brings together influential businesses from around the world with a mutual ambition to transition to renewable electricity.