| 1. EKOenergy joins the Leapfrog Alliance |
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 EKOenergy joined the Leapfrog Alliance, a recently launched non-profit coalition calling for more robust incentives to increase corporate investment in clean energy access in unelectrified and underserved communities globally. We would like to see international standards, such as the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, adopt clear incentives for companies to support projects that improve access to clean energy for all. For example, the often-forgotten chapter 11 of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Scope 2 Guidance encourages companies to do more and mentions the possibility of contributing funds for new project development. We hope that after its review, the Scope 2 Guidance will mention more explicitly that new projects can be particularly impactful when they benefit unelectrified and disadvantaged communities. |
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| "Historically, climate mitigation and adaptation investments have overlooked the world’s least electrified, most underserved, and often most fragile communities—perpetuating energy access issues and the risk of fossil energy system lock-in. For example, only 2% of the $3 trillion invested globally in clean energy in recent years went to communities in Africa."
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| 2. Recently funded projects out of the starting blocks |
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 In June, 21 new solar projects in 17 countries received funding from EKOenergy's Climate Fund. These Climate Fund grants aim to extend the benefits of the renewable energy transition to all by empowering fragile communities to implement their plans and initiatives. We ensure that every cent of the contributions to EKOenergy's Climate Fund goes to non-profit organisations coordinating the carefully selected projects. Over the past weeks, many beneficiaries shared news and photos of their projects' first steps on social media. ☀️ The NGO Health And Rural Development Balochistan (HARD Balochistan) is bringing solar power to +100 households, five schools, and seven rural health centres in hard-to-reach, off-grid villages in Khuzdar district, Pakistan. The project partners just shared photos of the preparatory activities that have now begun. ⚡ In Sabah, Malaysian Borneo, the NGO Green Empowerment and its local partners are getting ready for the installation of a 16.5kW solar mini-grid in an off-grid village. The installation will provide the community with reliable electricity, create income opportunities, and support their nature conservation efforts. The project is part of an ambitious plan to extend sustainable energy access to 60,000 people in Sabah, driving a brighter and greener future. 💧 The non-profit Centre for Renewable Energy and Action on Climate Change (CREACC) announced the start of its project in Daurawa village, Kano State, Nigeria. Solar energy will power a healthcare center, a small market area, and water pumps to provide water to people and animals, as well as a tree nursery. |
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| 3. Thanks for sharing information about our work and results |
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 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. In a new article on their website, the sustainable energy experts of authorised EKOenergy seller Mt.Stonegate write: "In an era of heightened environmental awareness, ecolabels have become essential tools for guiding consumers and businesses toward sustainable choices. Among these, EKOenergy stands as one of the international non-profit ecolabels for renewable energy recognised by RE100 for impactful EAC procurement." The article is available in English and in Chinese. In Belgium, authorised EKOenergy supplier Elegant highlighted its EKOenergy-labelled tariff in its communication. "Did you know that EKOenergy ecolabel is recommended by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? Help build a greener and fairer world with our labelled product BE Nature." Nvalue, a leading provider of sustainable solutions has renewed its webpage dedicated to EKOenergy! |
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| "A moment of celebration for all of us at the Centre for Renewable Energy and Action on Climate Change, CREACC. Our organisation has been selected as a 2024 .ORG Impact Awards Finalist Congratulations to us all and gratitude to EKOenergy ecolabel for making this happen. "
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| 4. Proof for EKOenergy users |
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 When companies choose EKOenergy, they receive an annual confirmation of their purchase. Once we have verified that all our criteria have been met, we send the EKOenergy proof to the EKOenergy seller, who will then pass it on to its clients. EKOenergy users can utilise this proof to communicate about their choice of EKOenergy with their employees, in their corporate social responsibility report, on social media, and more! Feel free to contact us if you'd like to learn more! |
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| "This decision was inspired first and foremost by ForGreen's mission to promote a sustainable and responsible approach to energy. The green energy it offers consumers is, in fact, certified by EKOenergy ecolabel, an international non-profit ecolabel." |
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| 5. EKOenergy is recruiting a seller relations manager |
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 Are you ready to roll up your sleeves and make a positive change in the world? EKOenergy seeks to recruit a seller relations manager to join our international secretariat in Helsinki, Finland. We look forward to welcoming a person with a go-get attitude who is ready to support and develop the steadily growing community of authorised EKOenergy sellers by providing them with the best tools and resources to sell EKOenergy-labelled energy to their clients. The position of seller relations manager is new, full-time, and permanent. The starting date is flexible. We welcome applications until 20 September 2024. Click here for more information. |
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| "Thank you, EKOenergy ecolabel, for one year of climate action.🌍 🌿 As I move on from my time with EKOenergy, I can’t help but feel grateful for the incredible experiences and meaningful work we accomplished together over the past year. It has been a privilege to be part of a team dedicated to promoting renewable energy and driving positive impacts globally." |
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| 6. News from recently finished solar projects |
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 Our Climate Stories leaflets summarise the concrete and life-changing outcomes of many of the 120 renewable energy projects we have supported through our Climate Fund over the past ten years. We have just added three new Climate Stories to our website, 🐟 Practical Action supported local communities in installing solar-powered cooling systems in two fishing villages in the Bolivian Amazon, enhancing food security and boosting income generation. 🍯 Green Empowerment facilitated the construction of a solar-powered honey processing plant in Uganda, where increased productivity has enabled beekeepers to double their income. 💧 Ecoceanos Corporation helped the Zenú indigenous community of San Andrés de Sotavento in Colombia to install a solar-powered pumping and irrigation system on their communal lands, providing a sustainable energy and water source and changing people's lives for the good. |
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| "We are so grateful to you for being on this path with us. Thank you for moving us toward the future we know is possible." - One of this year's Climate Fund grantees, in an email |
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| 7. EKOenergy on social media |
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 Stay connected with EKOenergy on social media to receive relevant updates on the global climate crisis, renewable energy, and climate action. By occasionally reacting to our posts, you help us spread our message and ensure that our future posts will also appear in your feed. Here are some of our recent posts: - Today is Earth Overshoot Day, the date when humanity's demand for ecological resources and services in a given year exceeds what Earth can regenerate in that year. Many existing solutions would enable us to live within the boundaries of our planet and are ready to be deployed at scale (From our LinkedIn) - Our non-profit ecolabel is a pragmatic and worldwide available tool for contributing to the realisation of many of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. (From our Instagram) - Our secretariat has hosted over 150 young volunteers and trainees between the start of our ecolabel in 2013 and now. Each of these young people has contributed in a unique way to the development and growth of our label, and we hope that the work at our secretariat has also contributed in a unique way to the personal development and lifepath of each of them. (From our LinkedIn) - Today, the staff, volunteers, and trainees of our secretariat visited a local nature area to enjoy the views and the calm, listen to each other, and learn new things. (From our Instagram) - Hereafter we list examples of how we contribute to Sustainable Development Goal 17: "Partnership for the Goals – Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development". (From our Facebook) - Another impactful project funded by EKOenergy: solar-powered irrigation for an indigenous community in Colombia! (From our YouTube channel) |
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| 8. What happens on the poles doesn't stay on the poles |
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 Antarctica is experiencing an exceptionally long heat wave during its winter. Ground temperatures have risen by an average of 10°C above normal since mid-July 2024, with some areas experiencing temperatures of up to 28°C above normal. The rapidly changing climatological conditions could push Antarctica over a tipping point and lead to "runaway melting" of the ice sheets. Not only is Antarctic ice melting more quickly than new snow can replace it, but the rate of loss due to melting and calving is increasing. Each year, the ice sheet is shrinking more rapidly. The Totten Glacier, the largest glacier in East Antarctica and containing as much ice as the entire West Antarctic Ice Sheet, is one of at least six glaciers in East Antarctica now melting rapidly. If it melts completely, it will contribute to a rise of 3.5 meters in sea level. (Source: Antarctic And Southern Ocean Coalition) |
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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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