As the lockdown measures for the coronavirus pandemic are loosening all around the world, experts from many sectors stress that it's essential to "build back better". The recovery measures have to support the development of a zero-carbon economy and the growing climate consciousness has to be followed up by concrete climate action.

Using EKOenergy-labelled renewables gives consumers worldwide the option to make a tangible contribution to new clean energy projects. By choosing EKOenergy, you don't only use 100% renewable energy, but also help our activities all around the world which aim to speed up the energy transition.

For example, in the first half of 2020, we financed nine new solar energy projects in developing countries, we extended our ecolabel to cover renewable heat, we advised energy consumers in many countries, we talked about the importance of climate action at webinars and conferences, and much more.

Find out more about our latest achievements and activities on our website >>

Consumers of EKOenergy-labelled energy contribute to the energy transition in several ways.

For example, through our Climate Fund, we help tackle energy poverty and contribute to the realisation of multiple Sustainable Development Goals.

Last week we granted 42,000 € to two solar projects in Nepal: 22,000 € to a solar water pumping project by Renewable World and 20,000 € for the electrification of a health clinic and birthing centre by GRID Alternatives. Apart from contributing to new projects, our support also helps these organisations in their work to promote renewable energy in the wider area and in their contact with local politicians.

Read more on our website  >>

- L'Arbre à Café, French coffee roasting company, on their website. Merci!

Consumers of EKOenergy-labelled hydropower don't only help us finance renewable energy projects, but also contribute to the improvement of river biodiversity. This happens through our Environmental Fund.

We have recently decided to finance a river restoration project on the Schnegaer Mühlenbach. This stream in Lower Saxony is a part of the German green belt.

The project aims to add about 600 tons of gravel to a part of the river that has previously been deepened and has become monotonous. The planned measures will modify and diversify the water flow and thereby restore the aquatic ecosystem.

The restoration was carefully planned by a local branch of the German nature conservation organisation BUND. We are looking forward to seeing the results.

It's hopeful that a growing number of companies are committing to using 100% renewable energy, but it shouldn't stop there. It is equally important that users of 100% renewable energy encourage and convince their supply chain to switch to renewable energy too.

Greening the supply chain is even more important for areas outside of traditional renewable energy markets, since it can help create markets there and consequently have a multiplier effect.

Yet at the same time, it may not be easy to encourage companies to switch to renewable energy where renewable energy contracts aren't available. But EKOenergy and EKOenergy's licensed sellers can help! EKOenergy-labelled energy is available in a growing number of countries and we are able to help consumers, such as companies of your supply chain, in local languages too.

Check our website or contact us for more information >>

- Hristina Minkova, Head of Environmental Science, Nvalue - during the REC Market Meeting webinar of 16 June. Thanks Hristina!

European civil society organisations, led by Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe and the European Environmental Bureau, have mapped out a “Paris Agreement Compatible Scenario for Energy Infrastructure”.

The study shows that it is possible to achieve:
 

-  a 65% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030
-  net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040
-  a 100% renewable energy system in the EU by 2040.

In contrast with the scenarios published by the European Commission in its own long-term strategic vision at the end of 2018, the Paris Agreement Compatible Scenario provides a much faster and more stable way of limiting temperature rise to 1.5°C. While the European Commission’s scenarios bet on technologies such as CCS that are not yet proven, the Paris Agreement Compatible Scenario reaches net-zero emissions by 2040 using mature solutions that are mostly already introduced into markets.

Read more here about the just-launched Paris Agreement Compatible Scenario >>

On 24 June Green Power Global and the Corporate Energy Leaders Platform organised the Corporate Energy Sourcing Model Conference.

EKOenergy was involved in two sessions. We moderated a session on Energy Attribute Certificate systems worldwide and a Q&A session on corporate buyers' experience in transitioning to 100% renewable energy.

The focus was on the importance of reliable tracking and the avoidance of double counting, but also strategies that companies can adopt to speed up the energy transition. Several speakers, such as Patrick Horka from Southpole, mentioned the EKOenergy ecolabel as a way for companies to increase their impact.

Thanks a lot to the organisers for involving us in this interesting event. We're looking forward to the next editions.

- Public housing company Auroranlinna, on their website. Thanks Auroranlinna!

The Arctic is feverish and on fire - at least parts of it are. And that has got scientists worried about what it means for the rest of the world.

Persistently warm weather, especially if coupled with wildfires, causes permafrost to thaw faster, which in turn exacerbates global warming by releasing large amounts of methane - a potent greenhouse gas that's 28 times stronger than carbon dioxide.

This is a climate emergency! We need climate action now!

The first 2 paragraphs and the visual are copied from phys.org