| 1. Almost 2 million euros for renewable energy projects |
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For every MWh of EKOenergy, 0.10€ goes to EKOenergy's Climate Fund to finance new renewable energy projects in developing countries. All supported projects contribute to the realisation of multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as SDG 2 (Zero hunger) and SDG 3 (Good health and well-being).
We financed the first projects in 2015, and our Climate Fund has been growing steadily ever since. The jury has just selected 11 more projects. When our board approves the selection of these projects next week, the total accumulative amount of Climate Fund grants will reach 1,974,217€.
Almost every week we share news from the financed projects. Check out our social media or contact us for more information. You can also find an overview of the projects on our website.
EKOenergy's Climate Fund is explicitly mentioned in the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Scope 2 Guidance. It is also highlighted as a good practice in a publication of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, and it is a crucial component of EKOenergy's Energy Compact, submitted to and accepted by the UN-Energy department.
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| "EKOenergy makes it easy to find an energy product worldwide with minimum impact on the environment and contribution to new #renewableenergy projects. With EKOenergy you make an impact! #Sustainability #SDGs" - Ecohz, on Twitter |
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| 2. EKOpixel campaign: level up with EKOenergy! |
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Anyone can take action to fight against the climate crisis, and the gaming industry is not outside of it. The gaming ecosystem has a huge potential to show leadership by cutting down its use of fossil fuels and switching to renewable electricity.
According to Newzoo, the gaming sector brings around $174.9 billion of annual revenue, uniting 2.9 billion players worldwide. When we thought about the energy consumed by all the game development studios, data centres, cloud gaming services and others that make up the sector, we decided to reach out and increase their awareness about using sustainable renewable energy.
That's why we have launched EKOpixel, a campaign to encourage companies in the gaming industry to switch to EKOenergy and communicate it to their audience.
If you know any company that could be interested, or if you need campaign materials, don't hesitate to get in touch with us. |
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| 3. EKOenergy for Peru and Panama |
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As an ecolabel for renewable energy, EKOenergy can be combined with all possible methods of renewable energy procurement, such as green tariffs, PPAs, unbundled purchase of EACs, etc.
We notice a growing interest from owners of on-site renewable energy installations to work with EKOenergy too, and in various countries installers of PV panels have begun to help their consumers add the ecolabel to on-site produced electricity.
This is now also possible in Peru and Panama. Solar energy companies Caral Soluciones Energéticas from Peru and Envalink from Panama are amongst our new licensees. Both companies can now offer an extra service to owners of on-site solar installations: they can help them fulfil EKOenergy's criteria and assist them in using the EKOenergy logo in their communication.
Photo: Caral Soluciones Energéticas. |
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| "We demand a complete and immediate embargo on Russian oil, gas and coal as well as sanctions against the Russian nuclear sector. " - Joint call for action on the 100th day of the full-scale war in Ukraine, co-signed by EKOenergy too |
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| 4. News from clean energy projects financed by you |
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In the past weeks, we received news from many ongoing and recently finished projects that we have financed thanks to EKOenergy users.
Last week, Amani For Africa organised an info evening about the solar installations they have recently set up in 2 shelters for street children in Nairobi, Kenya. EKOenergy donated 20,000€ to this project.
With the financial support of the Siemenpuu Foundation, the Centre for Rural Technology, Nepal (CRT/N) is making promotional material about the potential of solar energy for off-grid villages in Nepal. A mini-grid that we financed last year serves as an example. See our website for more information, including a video and a locally used leaflet.
We've received photos from Ace Africa. With our grant of 27,000€, they have brought solar energy to a fishing community in Siaya County in Kenya. Thanks to the project, the inhabitants got access not only to clean energy, but also to safe water.
We've published a leaflet about the EGALES project in Senegal too. This project aims to support women farmers in Senegal by installing solar-powered irrigation. EKOenergy supported the project with 25,000€.
Check out our website for an overview of all financed projects and follow us on social media for regular updates! Licensees or consumers that want more information about a specific project can reach out to us at any time. |
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| "After solar electrification, I am having my dinner happily in the light. Before, I used to feel downhearted while eating in darkness. Old age with diminished eyesight was a nuisance to me. This electricity system has given a different joy to me." Dhanraj Lungeli, one of the beneficiaries of a solar project in Nepal |
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| 5. EKOenergy ecolabel for gas and heat |
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The EKOenergy ecolabel is available not only for electricity, but also for gas and heat.
Recently, Swedish company Primus has begun to sell EKOenergy-labelled SIP Power Gas, which is made from food residues. Primus has been producing camping gear and other materials for outdoor use since 1892. Their products have been tested on expeditions by such pioneers as Roald Amundsen, Sir Edmund Hillary and Reinhold Messner. Today, Primus is known for its reliable, safe and innovative products, making people enjoy their outdoors adventures – both big and small. The focus is on creating environmentally friendly, easy-to-use and lightweight products. Thanks a lot for your trust in our work, Primus.
In Porvoo, Finland, consumers connected to the district heating network of Porvoon Energia can now opt for EKOenergy-labelled heat too. Porvoon Energia's EKOheat (EKOlämpö/EKOvärme) product was formally launched on the first of June with a long and informative article in their bilingual customer magazine (Finnish/Swedish). Thanks for this, Porvoon Energia.
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| "By choosing EKOenergy, you are making an impact! By choosing EKOenergy, households and consumers can show their commitment towards environmentally friendly solutions and encourage others to do the same." - Porvoon Energia, in their latest customer magazine |
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| 6. This Ecuadorian beer is #MadeWithEKOenergy |
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Ecuador has now a beer brewed with EKOenergy too!
Last year, EKOenergy licensee Deltaglobal installed solar panels on the roof of Santa Rosa Cerveza Artesanal, an artisanal brewery from Quito, Ecuador, and they informed the owners about our label.
We are happy that the brewery has now decided to go the extra mile by adding our ecolabel to the electricity that they produce and consume on-site, and by using our ecolabel on some of their products. 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, promote renewable energy worldwide.
Click here for a video about Santa Rosa's solar installation. It also shows some samples of how our logo is used. |
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| 7. EKOenergy on social media |
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By following EKOenergy on social media, you get relevant updates about the climate crisis, renewable energy and EKOenergy's activities worldwide.
Here are some recent posts: Greetings from HSY's Climate Seminar. Water purification causes #greenhouse gases, but all electricity used for water purification in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area is EKOenergy-labelled. Kiitos - Tack - Thx for using EKOenergy, @hsy_fi (on Twitter)
Our one-pager with communication guidelines is now also available in German. Thanks to Andrea Genergard for the translation. (on LinkedIn)
EKO-Liana and EKO-Steven are at the #fridaysforfuture climate strike in Helsinki this Friday too. We want peace & climate action now! (on Twitter)
In a joint webinar with Think RE, we'll talk about how corporates can use renewable electricity in China and what options are available for them to increase the additionality of their energy choice. (on Facebook)
As the world is going through the global transition to renewable energy, Ørsted and ARK Natuurontwikkeling are testing the potential of combining the development of off-shore wind and rewilding to restore vital ocean biodiversity! (on Instagram) |
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| 8. Oil, gas and coal are sabotaging the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals |
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In a new report, Fuelling Failure, a range of experts and expert organisations highlight the dangers fossil fuels pose to the entire sustainable development agenda. The report draws on more than 400 academic articles, civil society reports and case studies.
The report illustrates that failing to tackle climate change will mean that the aims and ambitions of all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will slip further out of reach with some goals becoming impossible endeavours.
Rather than addressing this challenge, governments around the world are expected to allow the production of more than twice the amount of fossil fuels (by 2030) than is consistent with the 1.5°C limit. Many of these governments are based in wealthy, industrialised nations that are disproportionately responsible for climate change. The richest ten per cent of humanity accounts for over half of the emissions between 1990 and 2015.
The conclusion of the report is clear: efforts and initiatives to achieve the SDGs must be aligned with a fast and fair fossil fuel phase-out. Rapid deployment of renewable sources of energy will create inclusive jobs for all, boost energy access, free up government revenues for other purposes such as the pandemic response and education and improve the health and well-being of people, communities and nature. |
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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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