| 1. 1,000,000 € raised for renewable energy projects |
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We are happy to announce that our contribution to projects fighting energy poverty has exceeded 1,000,000 €!
For each MWh of EKOenergy consumption, 0.10 € goes to our Climate Fund. With these contributions, we finance new renewable energy projects in developing countries. These projects change lives by improving access to reliable, clean energy and bring our world closer to reaching the Sustainable Development Goals.
With our 47th Climate Fund project, our contribution has exceeded 1,000,000 € in total since our start in 2015.
Learn more about our Climate Fund and see a map with all the projects we financed so far >> |
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| 2. We revised our brand book |
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As renewable energy is becoming more and more available since EKOenergy's launch in 2013, the number of companies that choose to communicate using our nonprofit, third party ecolabel is increasing too.
Users of EKOenergy-labelled energy, companies in particular, can increase the positive impact of their climate action by communicating about it. Using the EKOenergy logo shows that the energy you use comes from environmentally friendly installations and encourages others to switch to 100% renewable and sustainable energy too.
Check out our revised brand book for the guidelines you should follow to communicate about your EKOenergy use. Don't hesitate to contact us for more information. |
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"I believe that a declaration of sustainability from a third party, namely the EKOenergy ecolabel, is more valuable and credible than a self-declaration."
- CEO of Carrera Jeans – Gianluca Tacchella |
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| 3. EKOenergy-labelled gas for L'Arbre à Café |
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The EKOenergy ecolabel is available for renewable gas too. For example, biomethane produced from biowaste and organic residues can be sold with our label.
Recently, coffee roastery L’Arbre à Café switched to EKOenergy-labelled gas from ekWateur, one of EKOenergy suppliers in France.
The coffees of L’Arbre à Café come from sustainable, regenerative agriculture and diversified forests. They have two shops in Paris and their products can also be ordered online. We welcome L’Arbre à Café to the growing group of EKOenergy consumers!
Read our interview with L’Arbre à Café on our website >> |
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| 4. Growing interest for EKOenergy in Russia |
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A growing number of companies are looking for ways to start using renewable energy in Russia and many are consulting with EKOenergy for suggestions too.
Last week, on 9 July, Steven Vanholme from our Secretariat gave a presentation at the Green Energy Conference, organised by the Russian Green Building Council and Fond Razvitija Socialʹnogo Liderstva. The event facilitated fruitful exchanges about the recent evolution of the renewable energy market in Russia.
Yesterday, on 14 July, Kristi Ghosh from our Secretariat presented EKOenergy's work at a webinar about renewable energy in Russia, organised by Green Office Club-Lab (GBCG).
Thanks a lot to the organisers for having us in these events. Contact us for the presentations and more information. |
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"This partnership is in line with Origo's policy: offering the most environmentally friendly energy possible and at the same time allowing companies to consolidate their CSR commitments."
- Origo, explaining why they tell their clients about EKOenergy - in their latest newsletter |
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| 5. Solar energy powered shelters for street children in Kenya |
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All users of EKOenergy-labelled renewable energy contribute to clean energy projects that bring additional benefits for the beneficiaries, who often live under difficult circumstances.
In late June, EKOenergy granted 20,000 € to a solar energy project of the Italian NGO Amani and their Kenyan partner Koinonia Community, to provide clean energy for two shelters for street children in Nairobi, Kenya.
One of the shelters is specifically for girls and young women from vulnerable families or fleeing from child marriages. The shelters host a range of services, such as a carpentry workshop, a dentist lab, and a medical dispensary.
Serving as a pilot project, this installation will also help facilitate the introduction of net metering regulation in Kenya.
See our article about this project for more information: 40 kW of solar for street children in Nairobi >> |
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| 6. Build back better - #JustRecovery |
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On 9 July, the International Energy Agency (IEA) hosted the ‘Clean Energy Transitions Summit’. Before and during the event, NGOs from all over the world, including EKOenergy, asked the IEA to show more climate ambition.
The IEA should produce a 1.5°C-aligned energy scenario, charting the urgent and necessary decline of emissions and a just transition from fossil fuels.
Last week, EKOenergy also sent a letter to French President Emmanuel Macron, together with 130 other NGOs. The French government will host the Finance in Common Summit later this year, gathering 100s of finance institutions. We ask to put a green and just recovery at the heart of the summit. This includes an end to all direct and indirect support for coal, oil and gas. You can find the letter here >> |
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"All beginnings are difficult. Unless you have the nonprofit ecolabel for renewable energy EKOenergy on your side."
- Solergie on LinkedIn, EKOenergy financed their first smart solar nanogrids in 2016. Since then, they have installed more than 500! |
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| 7. The economic reality of the climate crisis is starting to bite |
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The global oil and gas industry has crashed. In mid-June, BP slashed the value of its assets by 17.5 billion dollars and revealed plans to cut their workforce by 15%. BP forecasts the price of oil would be a third lower than expected for decades to come and said it may be forced to leave new fossil fuel discoveries in the ground.
They were later joined by Royal Dutch Shell, which announced their own 22 billion dollars writedown, with its vast gas business – including major liquefied natural gas (LNG) developments in Australia – expected to take the heaviest toll.
While oil and gas is not alone in struggling in the face of the biggest economic slump in nearly a century, WoodMac says its carnage cannot solely be blamed on Covid-19. The economic reality of the climate crisis is also starting to bite.
Text copied from an article in The Guardian, by Adam Morton. See the article for more examples and predictions. |
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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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