| 1. New call for Climate Fund projects |
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For each MWh of EKOenergy sold, 0.10€ goes to EKOenergy’s Climate Fund for financing new clean energy projects in developing countries. All projects are selected through a transparent process based on clear evaluation criteria, which include the involvement of local communities and the long-term viability and replicability of the project.
We have just opened a new call for solar and wind energy projects to support 15 to 20 projects of 10,000€ to 40,000€ each.
Experienced non-profit organisations are welcome to submit project proposals by 10 February 2023. This year, some of the EKOenergy users have shown interest in supporting projects from local NGOs in South Africa and India. We therefore particularly encourage such NGOs to submit a proposal.
As always, we encourage EKOenergy's partners, authorised sellers and consumers to participate in the selection process. Contact us for more information. |
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| 2. Renewable energy for Ukraine |
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We decided to spend 20,000€ of our 2022 renewable energy campaign budget on actions to support the deployment of renewable energy in Ukraine and to provide civilians in Ukraine access to power.
To make a positive and lasting impact, we will cooperate with the #renewables4ukraine campaign of the World Wind Energy Association. Our contribution will be used to undertake concrete and tangible humanitarian relief activities and to support advocacy work of local renewable energy organisations such as the Ukrainian Wind Energy Association.
With their campaign, the World Wind Energy Association and their partners provide relief to civilian places such as hospitals that urgently require access to power. At the same time, they also highlight the importance of the clean and sustainable reconstruction of Ukraine after the war.
If you want to join in supporting this campaign, feel free to reach out to Steven Vanholme from EKOenergy or get directly in touch with the World Wind Energy Association. |
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| "Although higher Guarantee of Origin prices are adding to the energy costs of consumers, they are also contributing to the profitability of renewables. The increase signals trust in the Guarantee of Origin system that continues to grow." - ECOHZ, on their blog |
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| 3. Our input for the update of the Scope 2 Guidance |
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The Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) is an international standard for carbon accounting. It's a joint initiative of the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). The Greenhouse Gas Protocol Scope 2 Guidance is the part of the standard that sets rules for the reporting of emissions of purchased electricity and heat.
A lot has happened since the launch of the Scope 2 Guidance in 2015, and the WRI has now launched a public consultation to map what changes would be needed.
We think the main principles, i.e the dual reporting requirement and the focus on the avoidance of double counting should remain unchanged. The use of both market-based and location-based numbers unites the positive elements of both accounting methods and has proven useful. The dynamics the market-based approach brings should be strengthened, not undermined.
For the review of the GHG Protocol, we propose a focus on simplifying the text and adding updated information about new developments and best practices for delivering additional positive impact.
You can see our first thoughts and suggestions here (PDF, 4 pages).
The public consultation runs until 28 February 2023 and we encourage you to submit your feedback. If you send us your feedback in advance, we can consider incorporating it into our submission as well. |
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| "The government has violated its own Climate Change Act by not taking a decision on additional measures to meet Finland's climate targets." - Hanna Aho, Policy Officer for the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation, explaining why we are taking the Finnish state to court |
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| 4. We want 50% renewables by 2030 |
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Together with more than 100 civil society organisations and businesses such as Patagonia, B Lab Europe, Netguru and Weleda, EKOenergy signed an open letter addressed to the European energy ministers urging them to commit to 50% renewables and 20% energy efficiency as 2030 targets. A faster energy transition is crucial to address the crises of the high cost of energy, energy insecurity and the climate emergency.
Europe and the world have missed many opportunities to pivot away from the fuels driving catastrophic climate change and we cannot afford to delay this transition any longer.
A recent analysis by Ember shows that a 50% target is feasible and would prove effective. A 50% renewables target would keep the goal of the Paris Agreement within reach and would help to avoid an additional 48 billion € gas cost in 2030, compared to a target of 40% renewables. |
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| 5. News from ongoing Climate Fund projects |
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Users of EKOenergy-labelled energy help speed up the energy transition. Thanks to every EKOenergy user, we provide grants for new clean energy projects in developing countries. These projects improve the living standards of local communities, many of whom are in rural, off-grid areas.
You can find information about all these projects and see our Climate Stories leaflets on our Climate Fund webpage.
We recently published a new Climate Stories leaflet about our 38,990€ grant to the NGO Renew’N’Able Malawi (RENAMA). This allowed them to equip 4 rural health centres with solar energy as a means to reduce the high maternal mortality rates.
The Nepalese NGO LI-BIRD (Local Initiatives for Biodiversity, Research and Development) is installing a solar-powered water pumping system in an off-grid village in Karnali Province. The solar panels have arrived and we got some photos of the preparatory works.
In Nigeria, the Centre for Renewable Energy and Action on Climate Change (CREACC) has installed a PV system in the village of Marawa. The villagers now have direct access to electricity for the first time. The 3.6 kWp system will power a newly constructed, modern rural health clinic and a water pump.
We got more photos from the solar project in Congo managed by IHD. They have installed PV systems in 3 health centres and 3 schools in war-torn Southern Kivu. Follow us on social media for regular updates about these projects and others that are being realised thanks to the users and sellers of EKOenergy-labelled energy. |
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| "The technical know-how and understanding of Renewable Energy systems have been disseminated to the Mwangaza Safi residents and community leaders as well as to indirect beneficiaries through awareness campaigns and technical capacity-building workshops. This was a knowledge-building exercise for all involved." - IHD in the final report about their solar project financed by EKOenergy in Southern Kivu, Congo. |
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| 6. EKOenergy on social media |
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Follow EKOenergy on social media to get relevant updates about the climate crisis, renewable energy and climate action worldwide.
Here are some recent posts:
This crisis isn't natural. Fossil Fuel industry played a huge role in causing the cost of living crisis by stalling & preventing a phase-out of fossil gas in the EU. Yet its lobbyists still have their fingerprints over the EU's response to the crisis. Time for #FossilFreePolitics ✊! (from our Twitter)
Today is International Volunteer Day. We take this opportunity to thank everyone who is volunteering for nature protection and climate action! A special thanks to the 100+ EKOenergy volunteers who have helped us in the past 10 years to spread information about EKOenergy-labelled renewables in their countries. (from our LinkedIn)
A world powered by 100% renewables would take us so far in realising the UN's Sustainable Development Goals! Today we were at the Fridays For Future strike in front of the Parliament in Helsinki again, asking for more renewables and climate action as usual. Learn more about how EKOenergy's work addresses the UN's SDGs on our website (from our Facebook).
Our contribution to the pikkujoulu ("little Christmas") party of @luonnonsuojelu: cake, cookies and drinks #madewithEKOenergy. Thanks a lot to all those involved in the preparation of the event! Kiitos! (from our Twitter). |
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| 7. Renewables will become the largest source of electricity within 5 years |
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The IEA's Renewables 2022 report is out! It is the IEA’s primary analysis of the renewable energy sector, based on current policies and market developments. It forecasts the deployment of renewable energy technologies in electricity, transport and heat between now and 2027 while exploring key challenges to the industry and identifying barriers to faster growth.
The IEA expects renewables to become the largest source of global electricity generation by early 2025, surpassing coal.
The report mentions that renewable capacity expansion in the next five years will be much faster than what was expected just a year ago. From 2022-2027, renewables are expected to grow by almost 2400 GW in their main forecast, equal to the entire installed power capacity of China today. That’s an 85% acceleration from the previous five years, and almost 30% higher than what was forecast in last year’s report, making it the IEA’s largest-ever upward revision. |
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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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