EKOenergy, international ecolabel for renewable energy

The EKOenergy ecolabel is a concrete tool to guide consumers towards 100% renewable energy and to help them make a real difference. The ecolabel is available to certify renewable electricity, gas and heat. Its aim is to encourage companies and consumers to take concrete action against climate change and global warming. The ecolabel certifies the most sustainable among the renewable energy power plants, and provides the ecolabel as a tool for consumers to announce their sustainability and to avoid green-washing. We respond the rapid developments in the renewable energy sector. Apart from the developments on the technology side, there are also a lot of changes with regard to opportunities for consumers to participate in the energy transition: own installations, internationalisation of energy tracking, growing interest of consumers in Power Purchase Agreements, and the like. The EKOenergy ecolabel is developing constantly; getting better and stronger all the time. We integrate experiences and new knowledge into our sustainability criteria. Dedicated EKOenergy volunteers, trainees and staff reach out to consumers from different sectors. We have had information campaigns for breweries, tourism and hospitality sector, chocolate makers, etc. The funds raised through EKOenergy sales are used to finance new projects; river restorations through Environmental Fund and renewable energy projects through Climate Fund. We actively communicate about success stories in the transition to a 100% renewable economy and develop communication and marketing materials. We are in daily contact with sellers and consumers and explain why sustainability criteria matter, also for renewable energy. We communicate in 10 languages and reach out to stakeholders in their countries. We have translated key texts and summaries of key materials such as Greenhouse Gas Protocol Scope 2 Guidance to many languages. We made a website about the ecological impact of hydropower (will be online in 2018) and we organized a well-attended and well-appreciated seminar about fish passages. We are in cooperation with: - The Finnish branch of Protect Our Winters and with Save Pond Hockey campaigns to fight against climate change and global warming. - The Agency in charge of the Erasmus program, as well as with sending organisations in 11 countries. This allowed us to host 13 EVS volunteers in 2017 - I-REC Secretariat to bring renewable electricity markets to new areas. - CAN (Climate Action Network) and other environmental organisations we strove for a more ambitious Renewable Energy Directive. - The RE100, national and international labeling organisations, IRENA, CEM's Sourcing of Renewable Energy campaign, ... The ecolabel guarantees electricity consumers the sustainability of the electricity they use, and informs consumers about the sustainability of the products they buy. We started as a small initiative, but our reach and impact is growing year by year. - Consumers in Finland, Spain and Italy started to use our ecolabel on buildings and on products to show their support to a 100% renewable society. - Our growing success in countries such as Finland, Spain, Italy has encouraged us to be active in China, Japan, Russia, Turkey and Latin-America. - RE100 companies such as VMware and 2 others switched to EKOenergy, opening opportunities for linking EKOenergy's activities to the RE100's strong call for a 100% renewable economy. - 2 municipalities in Finland and 1 in Germany switched to EKOenergy. For each sold MWh of EKOenergy, min. €0.10 go to EKOenergy's Climate Fund. That money is used to finance climate projects that would not have happened without the contributions. In 2015-2016, Climate Fund financed projects in Tanzania, Indonesia, Cameroon, Togo, Nicaragua and Peru. In 2017 we donated €189,618 for projects in 9 countries: - Tajikistan: €15,000 is donated to Naturvernforbundet. In cooperation with a local organisation they have set up a solar powered energy café in the remote village Nisur. - Guinea: €15,618 to Santé Sud to improve health care access of more than 50000 residents. - India: €17,000 to Gram Vikas for a home lighting installation project that covers 120 households. - Madagascar: €25,000 to CEAS for 3 solar–powered kiosks at schools in rural villages. - South Africa: Siemenpuu and EKOenergy together donated €35,000 to Africa Conservation Trust for a rural electrification project. - Palestine: A project of the Palestinian organisation Applied Research Institute – Jerusalem got €15,000 of funding for solar installations in Bethlehem. - Togo: €20,000 to Solar zonder grenzen for the installation of smart solar kiosks and mini grids. - Senegal: €20,000 to Fondem for the installation of 2 solar pumps in Ouonck. - North-Darfur, Sudan: €45.000 to Practical Action for 100 households to get solar lantern sets, which will replace the use of kerosene and wood for indoor lighting. Together with Siemenpuu, we submitted a project proposal to the Nordic Climate Fund, for a solar energy project in Malawi. We also published a small booklet about the Climate Fund projects of 2016, and are working on Climate Stories for 2017 projects. EKOenergy works together with energy companies and with energy consumers in a fast growing number of countries. At EKOenergy Secretariat, we follow the market situation closely and encourage the use of the most sustainable renewable energy sources. Companies are getting more and more interested in renewables. The number of companies that promise to use 100% renewable energy is increasing, and the RE100 initiative is a proof of this. Many hotels are also becoming more sustainable to let their guests enjoy their stay in an environmentally friendly way. Be it for holiday or for a work meeting, people are starting to take their carbon footprint into account and are opting eco-friendly choices. EKOenergy is in partnership with the international Green Key ecolabel for hospitality industry. Green Key has certified 2700 establishments in more than 50 countries. EKOenergy logo is being used by companies in food and beverage sector, cosmetics sector, on green buildings and many more. Depending on the stakeholder, we can find ways to work together to achieve more. If you want to share information about the available options for renewables in a country/region, we can share our materials with you. We all the time reach out and are open for new possibilities for cooperation.