| 1. #MadeWithEKOenergy, now also in Ecuador |
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We are proud to see the EKOenergy logo on products, now for the first time in Latin America too!
Tecopesca is a producer of canned fish products located in Manta, Ecuador. When EKOenergy licensee DeltaGlobal SA installed solar panels on their roof, Tecopesca decided to add our ecolabel to the electricity they produce and consume on-site. This enables them to show that their on-site electricity fulfils EKOenergy's criteria and their choice also helps us as a non-profit initiative to promote renewable energy worldwide.
This is a good example of how companies can take action and switch to sustainable renewable energy in non-liberalised markets. There are choices for consumers even in markets where traditional energy companies are reacting slowly to consumers' growing demand for renewable energy.
Thanks Tecopesca! Your example will inspire many, in Ecuador and beyond. |
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| "We’re pleased to see that the EU is considering ways to increase consumer involvement in the energy transition. We encourage the Commission to promote the existing initiatives instead of reinventing the wheel. Rather than focusing exclusively on green energy consumers, targeting users of fossil fuels could be helpful too." - Steven Vanholme, intervention on behalf of EKOenergy at the online event presenting the feasibility study regarding an EU-wide green label, on 8 July 2021 |
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| 2. EKOenergy for the Spanish municipality Espartinas |
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Espartinas, a Spanish municipality in Andalucia, has added the EKOenergy label to the electricity they use from their on-site solar panel installations.
Adding the EKOenergy label to their on-site consumption takes the positive impact of the municipality's renewable energy use further. By using EKOenergy, Espartinas:
- Speeds up the momentum by joining others that go the extra mile,
- Helps EKOenergy promote renewable energy use worldwide,
- Contributes to enabling local communities in offgrid areas of developing countries to benefit from solar energy.
Thanks to the EKOenergy licensee Quantica (Quantum Energia Verde) for making this possible. |
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| 3. Fit for 1.5°C: Suggestions and expectations regarding the EU's climate policy |
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On Wednesday 15 July, the European Commission will present the Fit For 55 legislative package with the goal to reduce the EU's greenhouse gas emissions by 55% (compared to 1990) by 2030.
Together with many other organisations, we urge the Commission to keep the 1.5°C target in mind. The extreme weather events are all warnings that the 1.5°C target is a threshold we absolutely shouldn't exceed.
We call upon the EU to set a binding target of at least 50 percent renewable energy by 2030, paving the way towards the transition to a system based on 100 % renewable energy by 2040. In addition to a higher 2030 renewable energy target, the Fit For 55 package should reintroduce nationally binding targets, supported by well-defined policies, which increase predictability for all market participants. Of course, the EU should also remove all subsidies to fossil fuel consumption. |
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| "EKOenergy continues to grow during the first three months of 2021, speeding up the transition to 100% renewable energy." - Ecovatios, on Twitter (in Spanish) |
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| 4. News from two EKOenergy-funded solar projects in Mali |
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In 2020, we granted 15,000€ to the Malinese NGO ASIC for the installation of solar PV panels on two health centers and 15,000€ to the NGO OMAFES for the installation of solar lighting in five schools and five health centers. Both these grants are part of our long-term cooperation with the Siemenpuu Foundation.
Access to electricity and lighting improves the conditions in these facilities and provides easier access to quality health care and education. The beneficiaries of the recently finished projects include more than 3000 students as well as all patients and staff of the health centres, especially pregnant women. To ensure the continuity of both these projects, local staff were trained in the use and maintenance of the equipment.
For more information about these two projects, see our newest leaflet Solar energy for schools and health centres in Mali. For an overview of all financed projects, check the Climate Fund page on our website. |
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| "It may sound negative but we need to say what's really happening, so that our reality can catch up with the climate action that is necessary. In 31 countries, fossil fuels are supported 6 times more than renewables in recovery packages." - Rana Adib at the REN Alliance Webinar |
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| 5. We're calling on Japanese banks to stop funding coal |
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We joined the 140+ organisations calling on the three Japanese megabanks to phase out financing and investments for the fossil fuel sector. A petition was delivered before the banks’ Annual Shareholders Meetings end of June.
In May, the International Energy Agency announced that, in order to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, no more investments should be directed to new fossil fuel projects, and existing facilities should be gradually phased out.
Whilst the three Japanese megabanks have improved their climate response in recent years, their efforts are simply not enough to align with the Paris Agreement. Mizuho, MUFG and SMBC ranked respectively second, third and sixth in the latest ranking of commercial banks financing companies on the Global Coal Exit List. With respectively $39bn, $36bn and $32bn provided to dozens of coal companies globally between October 2018 and October 2020, these three big banks play a crucial role in propping up the coal industry worldwide. |
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| 6. New EKOenergy licensees are joining |
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We frequently welcome new licensees, making EKOenergy-labelled energy increasingly more available worldwide. In the past weeks, Engie, Univergy and Kosher Climate became licensed EKOenergy sellers. Welcome!
Only the companies that have signed the EKOenergy License Agreement can offer EKOenergy-labelled energy and Energy Attribute Certificates.
EKOenergy is a label for consumed volumes of energy, not for energy companies as such. Volumes sold with the EKOenergy ecolabel fulfil additional criteria and help speed up the energy transition in various ways. Most of our licensees sell only a part of their volumes with the EKOenergy ecolabel.
You can find the License Agreement on our website, or contact us for more information. |
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| "Consumer magazine Kuluttaja-lehti evaluated 20 different electricity contracts from the 8 largest electricity sellers. The highest points were given to Lumme Energia's electricity contracts and their EKOenergy-labelled tariff 'Eko Lumme Puu'." - Lumme Energia, on their website |
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| 7. Our recent activity on social media |
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We promote the use of renewable energy on social media too: You can help us reach more people by liking or sharing our posts!
Here are some of our recent posts:
With our EKObeauty campaign, we reach out to cosmetics companies to guide them towards using sustainable, clean energy on LinkedIn
Despite the Paris Agreement, EU governments are fuelling the climate crisis! We support the #StopFossilFuelSubsidies campaign on Twitter
Insulation materials #MadeWithEKOenergy. Thanks, Termex! on Instagram
Greta Thunberg speaks to the point at the Austrian Climate Summit 2021 on YouTube
The #Fridaysforfuture climate strike in Helsinki: EKO-Wael, EKO-Marie, EKO-Steven and EKO-Iciar from our team were there to ask for #ClimateActionNow on Facebook |
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| 8. Oil companies continue to lobby against climate action |
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An undercover investigation by Unearthed has found that ExxonMobil continues to fight efforts to tackle climate change in the United States, despite publicly claiming to support the Paris Climate Agreement.
Keith McCoy – a senior director in Exxon’s Washington DC government affairs team – told the undercover reporter that he is speaking to the office of influential Democratic senator Joe Manchin every week, with the aim of drastically reducing the scope of Biden’s climate plan so that “negative stuff”, such as rules limiting greenhouse gas emissions and taxes on oil companies, are removed.
He names 10 more senators who he says are “crucial” to ExxonMobil: Shelley Moore Capito, Kyrsten Sinema, Jon Tester, Maggie Hassan, John Barrasso, John Cornyn, Steve Daines, Chris Coons, Mark Kelly and Marco Rubio.
Channel 4 News has established, through Federal Election Commission data, that all except two of these senators (Senators Maggie Hassan and Mark Kelly) have received financial contributions from ExxonMobil.
(Source: Unearthed and Channel 4) |
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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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