Written By: William DANIEL
Verifier: George KIONGSON
Translated by: Una WU, Vivian CHUANG
Chinese Version Available Below
Figure 1: EKOenergy One Label. Six Goals. Source: EKOenergy
In an era of heightened environmental awareness, eco-labels have become essential tools for guiding consumers and businesses toward sustainable choices. Among these, EKOenergy stands as one of the international non-profit eco-labels for renewable energy recognized by RE100 for impactful EAC procurement. This article delves into what EKOenergy is, its significance, its benefits, and the growing demand for such certifications.
What is an Ecolabel?
An eco-label is a certification mark awarded to products, services, or practices that meet predefined environmental standards. These labels help consumers identify environmentally friendly products and encourage producers to adopt sustainable practices. Examples include Energy Star for energy-efficient appliances, Fair Trade for ethically produced goods, and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) for sustainability-sourced wood products. Renewable energy labels, like Green-e Energy and EKOenergy, assure customers that their energy procurement is impactful and sustainable.
What is EKOenergy?
Figure 2: EKOenergy Global Availability. Source: EKOenergy
EKOenergy is an ecolabel specifically designed for renewable energy, encompassing electricity, gas, and heat, that’s used in over 80 countries. Established in 2013 by a network of environmental NGOs, it aims to promote sustainable energy sources that meet strict environmental criteria. EKOenergy’s “one label six goals” approach highlights its commitment to biodiversity, climate change mitigation, international corporation, and social responsibility.
Figure 3: Quote by Steven Vanholme
EKOenergy certifies energy from various sources such as wind, solar, hydro, biomass, geothermal, and renewable gas, with additional criteria to ensure sustainability. For instance, hydropower must meet specific requirements to minimize harm to the river ecosystem. This certification includes renewable energy purchased through RECs (Renewable Energy Certificates), PPAs (Power Purchase Agreements), and even on-site installations. The EKOenergy label guarantees that renewable energy projects protect local ecosystems, promote positive environmental and social impacts, and support climate projects in developing countries through its key funds.
Supporting Environmental Projects
One of the distinctive features of EKOenergy is its commitment to funding environmental projects. This is achieved through two key funds:
Figure 4: EKOenergy fund contributions chart. Source: EKOenergy
The Climate Fund: All EKOenergy customers contribute at least €0.10 per megawatt-hour to this fund, which supports renewable energy projects in developing countries. These projects aim to alleviate energy poverty and contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Since its inception, EKOenergy has supported over 120 projects through this fund. One notable project, "Solar Power for Health Clinics in Refugee Camps and Off-grid Villages" in Myanmar, supplies sustainable renewable energy to 9 health clinics, improving medication storage and safer day-to-day practices like childbirth.
The Environmental Fund: Hydropower labeled as EKOenergy contributes €0.10 per megawatt-hour to this fund on top of the contributions made to The Climate Fund, focused on restoring and protecting river ecosystems. Since 2015, the fund has financed over 29 projects worth more than €545,000.
Corporate Endorsement and Market Influence
EKOenergy has garnered support from high-profile businesses, including Microsoft. The endorsement of such a prominent company enhances the credibility and visibility of the EKOenergy label, encouraging other businesses to follow suit. This adoption reflects a strong commitment to sustainability and helps drive broader market demand for environmentally responsible energy solutions.
Why choose EKOenergy?
As environmental awareness grows among consumers, the demand for eco-labeled products, including energy is on the rise. Eco-labeled products often perform better in the market, and businesses with certifications like EKOenergy can attract a dedicated customer base that prioritizes sustainability. EKOenergy is recognized by international standards such as Nordic Ecolabel & EU Ecolabel, Green Key, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, CDP, LEED, and WWF Green Office
Figure 5: Quote by Steven Vanholme
Purchasing renewable energy today involves considering the broader impacts on surrounding ecosystems. Project developers can certify their projects with EKOenergy to ensure transparency and adherence to sustainability criteria, making their projects more attractive to environmentally conscious customers.
Conclusion:
EKOenergy plays a crucial role in ensuring that renewable energy is produced and consumed sustainably. By choosing EKOenergy-labeled products consumers and businesses can make informed decisions that benefit the environment and support sustainable development. The growing demand for eco-labels like EKOenergy underscores their importance in driving global sustainability efforts. With the vast potential of renewable energy sources in Asia, Mt. Stonegate is well-positioned to support the implementation of EKOenergy labels as the market grows. As an authorized EKOenergy seller, Mt. Stonegate invites you to join us towards a more sustainable future. For more information, contact us today.
“…EKOenergy users are entitled to use our internationally protected logo in their communication. We look forward to seeing our logo on an Asian product too!”. Said Steven Vanholme, Programme Manager at EKOenergy.
Read the Chinese Version Below
深入探索生態標籤：EKOenergy成為推動綠電的重要角色
封面
圖片來源：EKOenergy
在環保意識抬頭的浪潮下，生態標籤已成為消費者和企業邁向永續未來的重要工具。而在眾多生態標籤中，EKOenergy是一個受RE100認可的國際非營利再生能源生態標籤，因其在再生能源憑證採購方面的影響力而受到關注。本文將深入探討EKOenergy是什麼？其重要性和好處？為何生態標籤的需求不斷增長？
什麼是生態標籤？
生態標籤是一種認證標章，頒發給符合預期環境標準的產品、服務或行為，幫助消費者識別環境友善的產品，藉此鼓勵生產者採用永續的做法，例如：能源之星（Energy Star）針對節能家電的標籤、公平貿易（Fair Trade）對符合公平貿易標準的商品提供標籤，以及森林管理委員會（FSC）則針對符合永續理念的木製產品的標籤。而再生能源標籤，像Green-e Energy和EKOenergy，則是向客戶保證其能源採購具有影響力且符合永續發展。
EKOenergy是什麼？
圖一、EKOenergy全球授權範圍
圖片來源：EKOenergy
EKOenergy是一個專門為再生能源設計的生態標籤，涵蓋電力、天然氣和熱能，目前已在超過80個國家使用。該生態標籤於2023年由一個環境保護非政府組織聯盟成立，旨在推廣符合嚴格環保標準的永續能源。EKOenergy的「一標籤六目標」口號突顯其對生物多樣性、減緩氣候變遷、國際合作和社會責任的重視。
圖二、石門山綠資本為第一家EKOenergy合作的亞洲公司
資料來源：EKOenergy專案經理Steven Vanholme
EKOenergy針對不同類型能源進行認證，如風力、太陽能、水力、、生質能、地熱和再生天然氣等，並設有附加認證標準以確保其永續性，例如，水力發電必須符合特定要求，減少對河流生態系統的損害。不僅如此，EKOenergy認證包括透過再生能源憑證（RECs）、購電合約（PPAs）以及現場設置的再生能源。
EKOenergy標籤保證再生能源能夠保護當地生態，為環境和社會帶來正面影響，並透過資金支持發展中國家的氣候專案。
支持環境友善專案
EKOenergy的其中一大特色為資助環境友善專案，透過以下兩種基金的方式：
圖三、EKOenergy資助貢獻
資料來源：EKOenergy
氣候基金：所有EKOenergy客戶每兆瓦時（MWh）需捐0.10歐元至該基金，用於支持發展中國家的再生能源專案。這些專案旨在減輕能源貧困並促進聯合國永續發展目標。自成立以來，EKOenergy已透過該基金支持了超過120個專案。其中一個值得關注的專案是「為緬甸難民營和無電村莊的健康診所提供太陽能」。該專案成功為9間診所提供再生能源，改善藥物儲存的條件，並提高診所日常操作的安全性，例如嬰兒接生等。
環境基金：標示EKOenergy的水力發電每兆瓦時需提供0.10歐元至該基金，除了對氣候基金的捐助外，環境基金致力於恢復和保護河川生態系統。自2015年以來，已資助超過29個專案，總金額高達545,000歐元。
企業背書與市場影響
EKOenergy已獲得包括微軟在內的眾多知名企業的支持，使EKOenergy標籤的可信度和知名度大幅提升，並鼓勵其他企業效仿。這也展示了企業對永續發展的堅定承諾，並推動市場對環境友善能源的更廣泛需求。
為什麼選擇EKOenergy？
隨著消費者環保意識提高，更注重產品是否有環保標籤認證，其中包含能源相關產品，且具環保標籤的產品通常口碑更好。而像EKOenergy這樣的認證能幫助企業吸引重視永續發展的群眾，使其成為忠實客群。EKOenergy更獲得多項國際標準的認可，如北歐環保標籤、歐盟環保標籤、綠色鑰匙（Green Key）、溫室氣體盤查議定書（GHG Protocol）、碳揭露計畫（CDP）、能源與環境設計領導認證（LEED）和世界自然基金會綠色辦公室（WWF Green Office）等。
圖四、企業透過EKOenergy一同實現永續行動
資料來源：EKOenergy專案經理Steven Vanholme
如今購買再生能源時，需考慮可能對周遭生態的影響。專案開發商可以透過EKOenergy認證來確保專案的透明度，並遵守永續標準類別，從而吸引環保意識強的消費客群。
結語
EKOenergy在確保再生能源以永續的方式生產和消費方面扮演著至關重要的角色。透過選擇EKOenergy標籤的產品，消費者和企業可以做出有利於環境並支持永續的決策。對EKOenergy等類型的生態標籤的需求不斷增加，再次突顯出EKOenergy在推動全球永續發展的重要性。
隨著亞洲再生能源的潛力發展，在這些不斷增長的市場中，石門山綠資本十分榮幸作為EKOenergy授權的交易商，具有執行EKOenergy標籤的優勢。石門山綠資本誠邀請您一起邁向更好的永續未來。若您想了解更多資訊，歡迎與我們聯繫。
EKOenergy專案經理—Steven Vanholme說道：「EKOenergy的使用者在資訊交流中，有權使用我們受國際保護的標誌logo。我們也期待在亞洲市場的產品上看到更多我們的標誌！」。
References/參考資料:
1. “About Us- EKOenergy Ecolabel.” Accessed July 1, 2024. https://www.ekoenergy.org/about-us/.
2. EKOenergy ecolabel. “Climate Stories: Leaflets about Finished Projects.” Accessed July 22, 2024. https://www.ekoenergy.org/our-results/climate-fund/climate-leaflets/.
3. Fair Trade Certified. “Fair Trade Certified - Sourcing Program from Fair Trade USA.” Accessed July 9, 2024. https://www.fairtradecertified.org/.
4. Global Ecolabelling Network. “What Is Ecolabelling?” Accessed July 9, 2024. https://globalecolabelling.net/about/what-is-ecolabelling/.
5.“Green-e | Powering a Renewable Future.” Accessed July 17, 2024. https://www.green-e.org/.
6. “Home | Forest Stewardship Council,” June 24, 2024. https://fsc.org/en.
7. “Homepage | ENERGY STAR.” Accessed July 9, 2024. https://www.energystar.gov/.
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