EKOenergy
Worldwide ecolabel for renewable energy
Newsletter 132,  21 September 2020
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What's new?
In this issue:

1.   Contributing to new clean energy supply in Myanmar and Nepal
2.   Riverbed restoration to enable the return of salmon
3.   Congratulations Workday, nominee for the "Most Collaborative Leader" category
4.   Did you know? EKOenergy is available worldwide
5.   Campaigning for more climate ambition and a #greenrecovery
6.   EKOenergy on social media
7.   The end of the oil age is upon us
1.    Contributing to new clean energy supply in Myanmar and Nepal
With the support of EKOenergy's Climate Fund, the North American organisation GRID Alternatives has recently installed a battery-based, off-grid 14.85 kW solar system at a health clinic and birthing centre in the remote Kanakasundari Rural Municipality, Jumla District, Nepal.  The clinic serves approximately 10,000 residents from the surrounding communities and will have a lasting impact on the livelihoods of those in the area.

Last week, we also received promising photos of the solar energy installation from the Renewable Energy Association of Myanmar. With the financial support of EKOenergy and the Siemenpuu Foundation, they have helped farmers and farming communities in the dry zone of Myanmar install a solar-powered irrigation system.

These are only two of the many concrete examples showing how EKOenergy consumers make a tangible and positive impact on the lives of many. For more information about the positive impact of using EKOenergy-labelled renewables, see Our Results on our website.
2.   Riverbed restoration to enable the return of salmon
In Finland and in many other countries, migratory fish as well as other freshwater species have already disappeared or are endangered. Reduced water quality, changes in the morphology of the rivers and the construction of dams are amongst the main reasons.

Users of EKOenergy-labelled hydropower buy from installations that fulfill our ecological criteria, and their choice also supports  the river restoration projects we finance.

In August, EKOenergy financed some restoration activities in the Pitkälänkoski river in Karkkila, Finland. The main focus was on diversifying the riverbed by adding depth in some parts and adding gravel and organic material elsewhere. Virho, the Finnish Society for Stream Conservation, implemented the project. You can find more information on Virho's website and social media accounts.
"We offer visits to our brewery in which we inform people of our philosophy, the energy we use and that we proudly belong to the network of EKOenergy consumers."

- Íñigo García, co-founder of Urban Beer, in an interview with our Spanish volunteer
3.   Congratulations Workday, nominee for the "Most Collaborative Leader" category
This year, the Climate Group and CDP have launched the RE100 Leadership Awards, to recognize the leadership of the RE100 companies in accelerating the transition to 100% renewable electricity.

Workday is among those shortlisted for the "Most Collaborative Leader" award, the category to recognize the efforts of companies who share their learnings with peers to enable a faster transition to 100% renewable electricity.

Workday is one of the companies that "prioritize high quality certifications of verified renewables, such as Green-e and EKOenergy". Thanks a lot to Workday for showing leadership in going the extra mile and congratulations on your nomination.

The EKOenergy ecolabel is a tool that amplifies a biodiversity-conscious choice of renewables, used by energy consumers from households to large multinationals. We are happy to see RE100 companies such as Workday communicating about their choice of EKOenergy-labelled renewable energy. This inspires many others to do the same.
4.   Did you know? EKOenergy is available worldwide
Companies regularly ask us where EKOenergy-labelled energy is available.

EKOenergy's tracking and sustainability criteria are formulated and designed in such a way that they can be implemented anywhere. Renewable energy markets are emerging globally and ecolabels such as EKOenergy are a useful tool to speed up that process.

We are in contact with relevant stakeholders in over 40 countries, our logo is protected internationally and our network of licensed sellers is growing from month to month.

The EKOenergy ecolabel can be combined with all types of sourcing of renewable energy, including PPAs and on-site installations.

Contact Merve Güngör or Steven Vanholme for more information.
Let's go one step further with @EKOenergy_. An international eco-label that has sustainability criteria and is available for homes, businesses and public establishments "
5.   Campaigning for more climate ambition and a #greenrecovery
As a consumer of EKOenergy-labelled energy, you don't only consume 100% sustainable and renewable energy, you also  help us promote a more ambitious climate policy.

Together with the other members of CAN (Climate Action Network), we call upon politicians to bring the EU's climate targets in line with a 1,5 degrees scenario, in particular by committing to a 65% greenhouse gas emissions reductions by 2030. The intent of the EU Commission to commit to a 55% emissions reduction is an important step in the right direction, but not enough to avert dangerous climate change.

We co-signed a letter to ask the European Parliament  to exclude investments in fossil fuels –including fossil gas –from financing by  the Just Transition Fund and support a just transition for all.  Last week, the Parliament didn't vote as we had hoped but the vote was tight and the fight goes on!

We are now getting ready for the global climate action day on Friday 25 September. Are you joining too?
6.   EKOenergy on social media
Do you want to hear more about our work and achievements? Follow us on social media!

Here are some recent posts and news:
 
"Thanks a lot to all the volunteers for the work today, and thanks a lot to  @EKOenergy_  for financing the needed gravel.  Another oasis for fish and plants has seen the light! Well done. #Riverrestoration #Vihtijoki"
7.   The end of the oil age is upon us
A new report suggests that 2020 will go down in history as the final point-of-no-return for the global oil industry. In the coming decades, some 80 percent of the industry is going to be wiped out.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a principal trigger for this decline. But in reality, the broad contours of this decline were already set in motion even before the pandemic hit. We are in the midst of a fundamental energy transition which will see the bulk of the fossil fuel industry gradually eclipsed in coming decades.  

But it would be a big mistake to sit back and wait casually for the oil industry to die out. Even the impressive decline of the oil industry, as predicted by the new study, won't be enough to limit climate change to maximum 2 degrees Celsius. More needs to be done, and fast!

Text copied from The end of the oil age is upon us, Vice, 26 August 2020
We at EKOenergy are always enthusiastic to collaborate with new partners.
For further information, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
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