| 1. 10 reasons for EKOenergy |
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There are many good reasons to buy or sell 100% EKOenergy-labelled energy. EKOenergy is an award-winning ecolabel, endorsed by environmental NGOs. Using EKOenergy-labelled energy is a way to support and speed up the worldwide clean energy transition, and our internationally recognised logo is a visible and efficient communication tool.
A growing group of energy consumers that are looking for ways to increase their positive impact, choose EKOenergy-labelled energy. We are sure that our solutions could also appeal to many others that are yet to hear about our label.
If you or your colleagues want to learn more about our label and the advantages it brings, let's schedule a 20-minute information session. Remember to check out our leaflet "10 reasons to choose the EKOenergy ecolabel" too. It's available in English, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish. |
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| 2. EKOappetite - Hungry for renewables! |
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Users of EKOenergy-labelled energy enable us to set up renewable energy campaigns that target energy consumers across the world. We are currently finalising the preparation of our next renewable energy campaign, which will focus on energy consumption in the food industry: EKO-appetite.
With this campaign, we aim to:
- inform companies in the food industry about the possibility of choosing sustainable renewable energy,
- encourage these companies to switch to EKOenergy-labelled electricity,
- suggest that they communicate about their choice of sustainable renewable energy via their network to inspire others.
If you know any company that could be interested, don't hesitate to get in touch with us. |
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| "With the support of the Ukrainian Wind Energy Association, the World Wind Energy Association and EKOenergy ecolabel, the outpatient clinic received a mobile solar power plant. The solar system will save energy costs and guarantee the uninterrupted operation of the clinic in the event of a power outage." - Article and video on ITV (Ukraine) about one of the solar installations that EKOenergy financed through the #Renewables4Ukraine campaign |
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| 3. News from projects financed by you |
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Users of EKOenergy-labelled energy help speed up the energy transition. Thanks to every EKOenergy user, we provide grants to 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.
Last year we granted 30,000 € to the NGO Green Empowerment. This enabled them to install PV panels and batteries in the Ayiri Health Centre in Uganda. The health centre, located 14 km from the electricity grid, previously relied on a Diesel generator and had no lighting at night. The solar system is now set up and works as planned!
We just got 2 photos from the solar-powered food dryer at the Multifunctional Centre for Women in Kolokani, Mali. EKOenergy co-financed the installation of the dryer in December 2021. We are happy to hear that it is functioning well. The same project also enabled the installation of additional PV panels. These are now powering the sewing class’s sewing machine, lighting, and fans.
In 2022, EKOenergy's Climate Fund granted 35,000 € to the Nepalese NGO LI-BIRD (Local Initiatives for Biodiversity, Research and Development). This allowed them to install a solar-powered water-lifting system in an off-grid village. Local farmers now have access to irrigation, which significantly improves food production and income security.
We got the first photos from a project that we are financing in the town of Kéla, Mali. With our financial support, the organisation Réseau Genre et Energie Durable is repowering the local flour mill with solar power energy. They will also install a recharging unit for telephone and machine batteries, and a freezer for making ice and preserving food.
We published 2 new leaflets in the Climate Stories series: "A solar-powered irrigation system in Jiffarong" about a project that we financed in the Gambia, and "Solar power for off-grid villages", about a project in Balochistan, Pakistan. |
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| 4. Vacancies at the EKOenergy secretariat |
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The deadline to apply for the permanent position as Sales and marketing coordinator Nordic market is approaching. If you are interested in helping us promote the use of EKOenergy-labelled energy in northern Europe, send us your CV and motivation letter before the 31st of March!
We have also opened new vacancies for 4 long-term European Solidarity Corps volunteers at our Secretariat in Helsinki. The European Solidarity Corps is an EU-funded programme that enables young people to take part in meaningful social and ecological projects across the EU. At our secretariat, volunteers help us promote renewable energy in many ways. This provides them with skills useful in their working life. This time, we are looking for young people from Ireland, Italy, Germany, Portugal and/or Poland. |
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| "Deeds, not words! EKOenergy finances projects that fight energy poverty and contribute to the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals." - Thanks a lot, Gesternova, for presenting EKOenergy at the Jornada de Corresponsables, Madrid, Spain, 14th of March |
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| 5. Advocating for more renewable energy |
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Today, on the 29th of March, the European decision-makers are gathering to close a deal on the revision of the Renewable Energy Directive.
Together with 29 other organisations and groups, including Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe and European Environmental Bureau, we wrote a letter to the negotiators to remind them that the Renewable Energy Directive should remain for renewables only. Proposals that take so-called “low-carbon” energy sources into account must be rejected, as these would severely undermine the roll-out of renewables and seriously delay rapid decarbonisation. Over the last 15 years, renewable energies have made impressive progress. One of the biggest obstacles to their development has been (and still is) the relentless attempt by the fossil and nuclear industries to slow down the energy transition.
In the past months and weeks, we have also focused on the EU's renewable energy target. In response to Europe’s current trilemma of rising energy costs, energy insecurity, and the looming climate crisis, policymakers should commit to the most ambitious target on the negotiating table: this is a binding target of at least 45% renewable energy. At the same time, we remind that this target is not yet enough to respect the 1.5 degrees climate target, which is crucial to avoid an escalation of climate-related disasters. Going beyond a 45% renewable energy target and reaching 50% or even 55% by 2030 is technically and financially feasible, and would put the EU on a path to reaching climate neutrality by 2040. |
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| "We need both domestic action and international cooperation to explicitly stop the expansion of fossil fuel emissions and production, in order to fulfil the aims of the Paris Agreement" - Maukoro Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau, Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu |
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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:
Some of us were at the Nature March that took place in Helsinki on the 18th of March. #luontomarssi #naturmarsch. Protect nature as if our life depends on it, because it does. Thanks a lot to all of those involved in the organisation. And thanks to the 1000s who joined! (from our Twitter)
Happy women's day from the EKOenergy team! We're happy to see how a higher uptake of renewable energy contributes to women's empowerment and international solidarity worldwide - in addition to creating jobs for everyone. (from our LinkedIn)
A renewable energy target higher than 45% can help secure the jackpot for: Security, affordability, and sustainability (from our Twitter)
There is a reason why everyone talks about 1.5 ⚡️ It’s not a craving, not a buzzword, not a wish list by environmentalists… It’s a scientific survival target. (from our Facebook)
Finnish 14-year old students spend 1 week at a company or organisation, to experience working life. This week, we are hosting Willem at our office. Welcome! (from our Instagram) |
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| 7. REC Market Meeting: Booking deadline on 31 March |
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We are a proud supporter of the Annual REC Market Meeting conference once again this year.
The 11th edition of the REC Market Meeting will be taking place on the 25th and 26th of April in Amsterdam. The topic is Maximising renewable opportunities.
EKOenergy is particularly involved in the organisation of the C-stream sessions. The C-stream focuses on basic information about tracking systems. Together with the organisers, we want to make sure that both long-term experts and newcomers have a fruitful conference, with plenty of opportunities to meet, learn and discuss.
In 2022 the conference was completely sold out, with nearly 500 delegates. If you want to secure a place at the conference, we advise you to book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. If you book your ticket before 5 pm CET on the 31st of March, you pay the normal rate. After this deadline, the late fee will apply. |
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| 8. Climate change and women's rights |
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In every newsletter, we share interesting facts that we have read. Here is an extract from a recent article by Fatima Bhutto.
“Water Aid, a not-for-profit organisation, estimated that while Pakistan’s super-floods had been impressively democratic in the havoc they wrought, by any metric it was women who suffered the most. Nearly 700,000 pregnant women in Pakistan were deprived of maternal healthcare during the floods. They had no support for themselves and their newborns, no food, no security, no basic medical care. Miscarriages rose drastically during the floods. Besides anxiety and trauma, girls with their periods had no menstrual care, and an estimated 70% of women in flood-affected areas suffered UTIs from lack of access to bathrooms and from using dirty fabric in the place of clean pads. The climate emergency will affect the rich, the poor, the educated, the illiterate, the urban, the rural, the beautiful, the brave, the lonely, but it will be women and girls across the global south who will bear the biggest burden.”
“Women and children are 14 times more likely to die during a disaster, according to at least one study. One reason is that they are often the group with the most limited resources at hand during an emergency. But besides that, the threat of sexual violence shoots up during extreme weather events – the United Nations found that with drought in Uganda came rising rates of domestic violence and sexual abuse. Floods in Pakistan and cyclones in Bangladesh brought not only maternal health crises but also increased violence towards women. And yet 0.01% of global funding is spent on initiatives that touch women and climate change. I dread to think how little attention we devote to the issue.”
Photo: Mahamud Hassan, AMISOM Public Information, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons. Text: Fatima Bhutto, The Guardian, 26th of March. |
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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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