Hilti, the internationally renowned producer of high-quality tools for the construction and building industries, is committed to meeting the requirements of the Science Based Targets initiative. In a recent press release, they gave an overview of the measures they have already taken to support the fight against global warming.

One of these is using EKOenergy-labelled electricity in almost all countries where they are active! Thanks for your trust in our nonprofit ecolabel, Hilti. Together, we can do more and move faster.

Among the following objectives is addressing emissions along the entire value chain. EKOenergy can also play a role in achieving that target. Our fast-growing network of authorised sellers and our ability to interact in many languages make EKOenergy-labelled energy more readily available for companies of all sizes, regardless of which country they operate in.

(Photo credit: Hilti Corporation)

The German multinational glass manufacturer SCHOTT is another company with climate targets in line with the requirements of the Science Based Targets initiative, and they, too, have been choosing EKOenergy-labelled electricity worldwide for many years already.

Last week, SCHOTT announced that they have closed a PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) with Statkraft, for the supply of EKOenergy-labelled wind power in Germany. Previously, SCHOTT had already signed PPAs for EKOenergy-labelled electricity with Engie and RWE. In Germany, SCHOTT now gets 25% of its EKOenergy through PPAs. Also elsewhere, SCHOTT is exploring opportunities to sign PPAs for EKOenergy-labelled electricity. Last year, they were the first to do so in India.

As a label for renewable megawatt-hours, EKOenergy can be applied to any sourcing method: green tariffs, PPAs, unbundled EACs, on-site solar, and more. This allows EKOenergy users to choose the procurement methods that fit their needs at a specific location and to change the chosen method over time.

Some months ago, SCHOTT received the German Sustainability Award for its energy policy and last Friday, Robert Habeck, the German minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, visited SCHOTT to see how the company embraces the energy transition as an opportunity for innovation and growth. Congratulations, SCHOTT: we couldn't be more proud of EKOenergy users like you.

 

- Robert Habeck, German Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Action, during a visit to EKOenergy user SCHOTT

Over the past few years, Climate Action Network has produced a series of videos about the impact of the climate crisis on communities worldwide and another series about climate action, concrete solutions, and new opportunities.

They have now also released a 2-minute video about EKOenergy's work. The video focuses on how European Solidarity Corps volunteers help us promote renewable energy worldwide. Climate action brings along climate hope!

We uploaded the video to our YouTube channel and added subtitles in ten languages. Have a look!

Thanks, Climate Action Network Europe and all others involved in making this nice video.

 

- Maria Quero, in the video Climate Solutions - EKOenergy ecolabel

Thanks to EKOenergy consumers worldwide, we can fund renewable energy projects in many countries. Here is some news from recently funded projects.

- The NGO Health and Rural Development Balochistan, from Pakistan, sent us a touching video about a solar project we funded some months ago.

The project brought solar power to five hard-to-reach villages in Balochistan’s Khuzdar district. 100 families received solar systems, each consisting of 150W solar panels, batteries, lights, an electric fan, and charging points for small electric devices. Five local schools and five health units also got solar power for lighting and fans.

Check out the video on our YouTube channel. Subtitles are available via the settings. 

- We received photos from a solar project in Madagascar. Together with the local community, the nonprofit organisation GRET is installing a 7 kW solar installation and a microgrid in an off-grid village. The solar energy will also power the local health centre and the local school.

- We published a new leaflet in the Climate Stories series! In 2023, EKOenergy granted €26,800 to the Tanzanian NGO OIKOS East Africa for a solar project in two Masaai villages in Tanzania's Manyara Region. The project partners replaced expensive and inefficient diesel pumping systems with solar-powered pumps, ensuring access to a reliable and safe source of drinking water. 

Thanks a lot to all those involved in making such projects possible.

 

- Sabira Atta Muhammad, School teacher, in a new video about one of the solar projects we funded

All EKOenergy's authorised sellers can get access to the EKOdirect module. This online tool, built by software developer CerQlar, facilitates the smooth processing of EKOenergy's growing volumes.

The module already includes a database of pre-approved renewable energy installations, i.e. installations that can be used by our authorised sellers when they sell EKOenergy-labelled volumes. Last week, we added the 5000th installation to the database!

Soon, we will activate another functionality (Thanks, CerQlar!). It will become possible for our authorised sellers to use the EKOdirect module to generate EKOenergy proofs. These proofs demonstrate to consumers that their volumes have the EKOenergy label. Do you want to be among the first to try it out? Get in touch!

All consumers choosing EKOenergy-labelled electricity contribute to EKOenergy's Climate Fund. Consumers choosing EKOenergy-labelled hydropower make an additional contribution to EKOenergy's Environmental Fund. We use these contributions to fund projects that bring about a positive, tangible impact that wouldn't take place without our support.

We now have two open calls for projects, and the deadline is approaching.

- We welcome proposals for impactful solar and wind energy projects in low- and middle-income countries. In this round, we can support 15 to 20 wind and solar energy projects of up to €60,000 each. Projects need to be implemented by experienced nonprofit organisations and contribute to the implementation of multiple Sustainable Development Goals.

- We also have an open call for river restoration projects in Germany, Norway, and Sweden. With this new call, we aim to fund two to three river restoration projects. The maximum grant per project will be €30,000, and the principal applicant must be a registered nonprofit NGO. EKOenergy's funding can also be used for projects that are part of a larger restoration initiative but are a distinct, separately reportable activity.  

For both calls, proposals must be sent to ekoenergyfunds@sll.fi and reach us by Friday the 9th of February.

 

- A recent article about a solar project financed with EKOenergy's support. Last year, we used 50,000€ of our campaign budget to support the Renewables4Ukraine campaign.

We are thankful to all those helping consumers switch to renewable energy and even more so if they mention our label as a good and impactful way to do so. Together, we can and will speed up the energy transition.

Here are two more examples from the past weeks.

- The Japanese non-profit think tank Renewable Energy Institute published a new version of their "Renewable Electricity Procurement Guidebook". EKOenergy's role and activities are described on page 66 of the Japanese version, and it rightfully notes that EKOenergy is available in Japan too. We are happy and proud to see growing demand for EKOenergy in Japan each year!

- In Finland, Motiva Oy, a state-owned company that offers expert services to accelerate sustainable development, added a chapter on electricity procurement to its guide for green public procurement. Thanks for mentioning EKOenergy and the EKOenergy proof!

Stay connected with EKOenergy on social media to receive relevant updates on the global climate crisis, renewable energy, and climate action. By reacting to our posts occasionally, you help us spread our message and ensure that our future posts will also show up in your feed.

Here are some of our recent posts:

- In 2023 we funded more Climate Fund projects than ever before, we supported the Renewable4Ukraine campaign, we continued automating our processes to enable more consumers to switch to EKOenergy faster, and much more!  (From our LinkedIn)  

- 🥂 Small celebration at the EKOenergy Secretariat. Steven has his 50th birthday today, and we just added the 5000th (!) renewable energy installation to EKOdirect, the online tool for our authorised sellers. Hurray! (From our LinkedIn)

- Contact hour at EKOenergy! We know there are many good reasons for choosing EKOenergy. During the contact hour, we focus on sharing that information with as many others as possible! (From our Instagram)

- Not even a snowstorm prevents EKOenergy from demanding climate action on the Parliament steps! (From our Facebook)

- Everyone is welcome, everyone is needed. Never hesitate to contact us if you want to help us promote sustainable, renewable energy. (From our X)

In its new report, Renewables 2023, the International Energy Agency (IEA) gives reasons for optimism. "The world added 50% more renewable capacity in 2023 than in 2022, and the next five years will see the fastest growth yet. [...] The world’s capacity to generate renewable electricity is expanding faster than at any time in the last three decades, giving it a real chance of achieving the goal of tripling global capacity by 2030 that governments set at the COP28 climate change conference last month." However, the IEA also warns that "the lack of financing for emerging and developing economies remains a key issue."

The course is set, but the work remains to be done. With EKOenergy, we are on a mission to do all we can to further speed up the energy transition by involving as many as possible. We also continue expanding the activities of our Climate Fund: our nonprofit ecolabel is a tool to raise funds for new renewable energy projects in low- and middle-income countries!

Do you want to join efforts with us? Don't hesitate to get in touch!