Green-e to Launch International Renewable Energy Standard and Certification

SAN FRANCISCO, March 7, 2016 /3BL Media/ — San Francisco–based nonprofit Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) is pleased to announce the development of the Green-e Energy International Standard for renewable electricity. With strong demand from companies and organizations with global renewable energy targets, the Green-e Energy International Standard will address the existing need for consistent, credible, and impactful purchasing options globally as well as spur market development of new infrastructure, including tradable renewable certificates and tracking systems. The new standard will provide country-specific requirements for renewable energy transactions that occur through utility green power programs, tradable certificate products, direct power purchase agreements (PPAs), and onsite generation.

Drawing on 20 years of success operating the Green-e Energy program for North America, CRS will follow the Green-e program’s established transparent, open-stakeholder processes in developing this standard. CRS will seek feedback on the development of the standard, and the initial 60-day open comment period will commence in the second quarter of the year. Information about the draft Green-e Energy International Standard and development process is available on the Green-e website at www.green-e.org/international, where interested parties can also sign up to receive updates and announcements.

"Supporting market driven solutions to advance sustainable energy is core to our mission" said CRS Executive Director Jennifer Martin. “This new standard will build upon the successful track record of the Green-e certification programs in North America and accelerate the availability and credibility of voluntary renewable energy procurement worldwide.”

CRS expects to release the final International Standard late in 2016 and to begin certification of renewable electricity transactions outside of North America shortly after launch, adding additional country-specific requirements over time. The Green-e Energy International Standard will define impactful renewable energy sourcing and allow for access to trusted, independent, third party certification of renewable energy commitments. The standard will allow purchasers to harmonize their global procurement efforts and reduce risk, ensure unique ownership claims, and drive forward the global market for high-quality and impact-focused renewable energy.

"As the price of renewable energy drops and sustainability initiatives increase, it’s important to have clear purchasing protocols—for companies, developers, investors and all parties in between,” said David Hughes, Commercial Development Lead for Schneider Electric Energy and Sustainability Services. “We’ve helped organizations procure gigawatts of wind and solar power, and see great value in CRS’s efforts to develop the Green-e Energy International Standard.”                                                                

Green-e Energy is North America’s leading certification program for renewable electricity in the voluntary market. Green-e creates the standard for and provides third-party oversight to voluntary renewable energy procurement and sales, certifying more than half of all retail voluntary renewable energy sales in the U.S. Green-e has been instrumental in developing a thriving voluntary renewable energy market that has seen a 40% annual average growth of certified retail sales over the last 10 years.

“For many years now CRS has set the standard to verify corporate renewable energy purchasing in North America as we have established global carbon reporting practice covering thousands of companies globally. In 2013 we created, together with The Climate Group, the RE100, a collection of 53 global companies seeking 100% renewable procurement by 2050. We applaud CRS’s work and expect that the Green-e Energy International Standard will help our partners and their in-country counterparts move more quickly toward a world where renewables are available wherever business is done,” said Pedro Faria, Technical Director at CDP.

If you would like to receive announcements and instructions on how to participate in the upcoming Green-e Energy International Standard stakeholder comment period, please sign up at www.green-e.org/international.

About Green‑e and Center for Resource Solutions
A program of the nonprofit Center for Resource Solutions, Green‑e is North America’s leading independent consumer protection program for the sale of renewable energy and greenhouse gas reductions in the retail market. Green‑e offers certification and verification services through Green‑e Energy, a renewable electricity certification program; Green‑e Climate, a greenhouse gas emission reduction certification program; and Green‑e Marketplace, a program that offers a simple, nationally recognized logo that organizations can use to communicate their renewable energy and climate commitment to their customers and stakeholders. To learn more about Green‑e certified products and programs, visit www.green‑e.org.