CHANEL Partners With Sunrun to Bring Solar Energy to Low Income California Homes

French fashion brand CHANEL has committed USD 35 million toward solar energy projects for low-income multifamily households in California with Sunrun.

French fashion brand CHANEL has announced that it has committed USD 35 million toward solar energy projects for low-income multifamily households in California with Sunrun, the leading residential solar, battery storage, and energy services company in the United States.

The partnership will expand access to solar for nearly 30,000 low-income residents across California, offering families on average up to USD 40 to 50 a month in energy cost savings. CHANEL’s investment will also support more than 20,000 hours of job training in the first year, offering valuable vocational skills and certifications to hundreds of people in disadvantaged communities. Through the partnership, CHANEL and Sunrun will install approximately 30 megawatts of solar energy systems on affordable multifamily properties throughout California.

This investment is part of CHANEL’s Global Climate Strategy, Mission 1.5°C, which reflects the company’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions across its entire value chain and to help accelerate the transition to a more sustainable world, in line with the targets set by the Paris Climate Agreement (COP 21), aimed at limiting mean global temperature increases to 1.5° Celsius. In addition to its reduction efforts, the fashion brand is also committed to mitigating the consequences of climate change by compensating its residual emissions through investing in nature-based solutions, such as projects to protect and restore forests, mangroves and peatlands.

“CHANEL strives for exemplarity in everything we create and the impact we have on our society and our world at large,” said CHANEL President and Chief Operating Officer John Galantic. “This innovative partnership reflects the deep commitment of our House to reducing our impact on the environment, while also creating a positive social impact through an inclusive approach that will provide families with access to clean affordable power and the creation of jobs to support the installation of these solar energy systems.”

The firm stated that its work with Sunrun reflects an innovative renewable energy investment that allows the company to support its commitments to the climate, while also, and equally importantly, support its focus on addressing social inequality and providing for underserved communities. It believes that it can have a key role in showing how leading companies can address the negative impacts of climate change. The company has high ambitions to contribute to the transition from a carbon-intensive economic model to one that is resilient and regenerative.

“CHANEL’s investment will help disadvantaged communities gain access to clean, reliable solar energy,” said Lynn Jurich, Sunrun co-founder and Chief Executive Officer. “This innovative approach to corporate social responsibility will make an impact today and hopefully become a model for other companies to invest in our planet’s future.”