Making Renewable Electricity Claims with Confidence through Green-e® Marketplace Certification

Learn how Green-e® Marketplace certification has helped RPE, the largest grower/shipper/packer of potatoes in the United States, communicate its commitment to sustainability through the use of renewable electricity. Rachel Atkinson-Leach, RPE’s Vice President, Brand & Category Excellence, will share her first-hand experience as a participant in the program, including how RPE has utilized the Green-e® logo on its packaging and differentiated its company. Center for Resource Solutions, the nonprofit that administers the program, will also explain how to get certified and general renewable electricity claims marketing best practices.

Speakers:
Rachel Atkinson-Leach, Vice President, Brand & Category Excellence, RPE
Michelle McGinty, Senior Manager, Partnerships and Program Outreach, Center for Resource Solutions

Transcript

1. MAKING RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY CLAIMS WITH CONFIDENCE THROUGH GREEN-E® MARKETPLACE CERTIFICATION MICHELLE MCGINTY PARTNERSHIPS & PROGRAM OUTREACH, SENIOR MANAGER CENTER FOR RESOURCE SOLUTIONS RACHEL ATKINSON-LEACH VP BRAND & CATEGORY EXCELLENCE RPE
2. Nongovernmental Organization (NGO) creating policy and market solutions to advance sustainable energy since 1997. • Expert assistance • Renewable energy and climate policy • Clean Energy Accounting Project (CEAP) • Renewable Energy Markets annual conference • REM Asia, Singapore, April 29-30 • REM US, Denver, September 16-18 • Green-e® certification for suppliers and users of renewable electricity, carbon offsets and biomethane in the voluntary market About Center for Resource Solutions PAGE 2 © 2023 Center for Resource Solutions. All rights reserved.
3. PAGE 3 © 2023 Center for Resource Solutions. All rights reserved. There is increased scrutiny of environmental disclosures and claims
4. Communicating Renewable Electricity Usage to Your Customers with Confidence PAGE 4 © 2020 Center for Resource Solutions. All rights reserved. * Natural Marketing Institute’s 2022 Custom Analysis: Ceres Awareness and Impact Research Green-e Logo † PDI Technologies’ Business of Sustainability Index June 2022
5. Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) PAGE 5 © 2019 Center for Resource Solutions. All rights reserved. 1 MWh REC Electricity Grid Tracking System Generator 1 REC represents the renewable attributes of 1 MWh of renewable energy generation
6. It is important to retain RECs for all procurement methods to make RE claims PAGE 6 © 2020 Center for Resource Solutions. All rights reserved. Self Generation (Lease and Own Generation) Onsite self-generation or lease Offsite self-generation or lease Direct Purchasing (Purchase from a Generator) Onsite PPA Offsite physical PPA Virtual PPA Direct attribute-only purchase Retail Purchasing (Purchase from a Supplier or Utility) Utility green pricing Direct access tariff Community renewables Competitive green power Unbundled certificates
7. PAGE 7 © 2023 Center for Resource Solutions. All rights reserved. About Green-e® Program of the Center for Resource Solutions • The leading third-party certification for voluntary environmental commodities. Green-e® makes it easy for businesses and individuals to purchase verified environmental commodities with confidence, and for consumers to choose sustainable products and services. for renewable electricity/RECs for carbon offsets for biomethane (RNG) for marketing claims
8. • 3-party independent review and certification • Supports Newer and Sustainable Generation • Reduces buyer reputational risk • Trusted by reporting agencies • Regulatory surplus verified What Benefits Does Green-e Energy Provide? PAGE 8 © 2023 Center for Resource Solutions. All rights reserved. ü Trusted ü High-quality ü Recognized ü Verifiable ü Transparent
9. Green-e® Citations and Endorsements PAGE 9 LEED points issued to buildings using Green-e® certified energy © 2023 Center for Resource Solutions. All rights reserved.
10. 1 .3 million retail purchasers buy Green-e® certified renewable energy, including 314,000 businesses, including some brands you may know: Who Buys Green-e? PAGE 10 © 2023 Center for Resource Solutions. All rights reserved.
11. Find Retail Sourcing Options PAGE 11 © 2020 Center for Resource Solutions. All rights reserved. www.green-e.org/buy www.buycleanenergy.org
12. Benefits of Certification PAGE 12 Qualifies buyers for Green-e® Marketplace • Provides guidance for making credible, FTC and GHG Protocols compliant renewable energy and carbon offset claims • Marketing Claims are validated and certified at either the corporate or on-product level • Over 1,000 products made with renewable energy display the Green-e® Certification mark • Participants include Kao, Bigelow Tea, Garden of Life and Church & Dwight © 2023 Center for Resource Solutions. All rights reserved. Can also certify Events, Locations, Datacenters, and EV Fleets/Chargers!
13. PAGE 13 © 2023 Center for Resource Solutions. All rights reserved.
14. Green-e® Marketplace for Certifying Claims PAGE 14 © 2020 Center for Resource Solutions. All rights reserved. Products Locations Companies
15. Also Certify Events and Printed Materials PAGE 15 © 2020 Center for Resource Solutions. All rights reserved. San Jose Earthquakes Go Green Green-e partnered with the San Jose Earthquakes Major League Soccer team to Go Green for their July 25 match against D.C. United. By dedicating a portion of each ticket, the Earthquakes purchased enough Green-e Energy Certified renewable energy to cover the electricity usage associated with the game, which was the first Green-e Marketplace Certified Event by a Major League Soccer team. They also provided fans with conservation tips, reusable grocery bags, and flower seeds.
16. Benefits of Certification PAGE 16 © 2020 Center for Resource Solutions. All rights reserved. Brand and Reputation Benefits • Association with a well-recognized and trusted nonprofit • Differentiate your company/brand to sustainably minded customers and stakeholders Risk Reduction Benefits • Mitigate legal/reputational risk • Reviews marketing claims and provides expertise to ensure clarity to consumers • Monitors state and federal best practices
17. Guidance and Tools Benefits of Certification PAGE 17 • Sales Kit • Sales Deck Support • Sales Team Training Call • Claims Guidance • Marketing Toolbox • Communications Guide • Social Media Kit • Blog Templates • Case Studies © 2023 Center for Resource Solutions. All rights reserved.
19. www.renewableenergymarkets.com
22. 22 FARMERS FARMERS
23. 23 CLEAN ELECTRICITY PACKAGING REGENERATIVE AG CONSERVE H2O REDUCE WASTE GROWN & PACKAGED WITH 100% RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY FIRST & ONLY GREEN-E® CERTIFIED PRODUCE SUPPLIER 2022 GREEN POWER LEADERSHIP AWARD
32. Q&A PAGE 32 © 2023 Center for Resource Solutions. All rights reserved.
33. Contact. Michelle McGinty MANAGER, PROGRAM OUTREACH michelle.mcginty@resource-solutions.org 415.568.4284 © 2023 Center for Resource Solutions. All rights reserved. resource-solutions.org