Standards and Certification – A must in the Green World Andrew Nourafshan Progam Analyst Center for Resource Solutions Green Trade Network Summit September 19 th, 2008

Presentation Overview Who is the Center for Resource Solutions? The Green-e Certification Programs Why is certification important? What is important in certification?

Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) A nonprofit organization working nationally and internationally to fight climate change by building policies and consumer-protection mechanisms in renewable energy, greenhouse gas reductions, and energy efficiency. Developed and manage three certification programs for environmental markets: Green-e Energy: Launched in 1997 to provide consumer protection for the green power markets in North America. Green-e Marketplace: Launched in 2005 to verify green power claims made by companies purchasing renewable energy for their operations. Green-e Climate: Launched in 2008 to provide consumer protection for the carbon offset market..

Green-e Program Governance Independent Governance Board –Natural Resources Defense Council –Union of Concerned Scientists –National Renewable Energy Laboratory –WWF –Regulatory Assistance Project, and –Several other environmental and industry leaders. All standards and policies developed through open stakeholder consultations Associate Member of the International Social and Environmental Accreditation and Labeling (ISEAL) Alliance

Nation’s leading consumer protection program for renewable energy products Established 1997 Covers all 50 states and Canada Certification of three product types: –Renewable energy certificates (RECs) –Renewable electricity sold in competitive retail and wholesale markets –Utility green pricing programs

What Functions Does Green-e Energy Provide? Green-e Energy Standard defines eligible renewable electricity products Verification ensures that there is clear ownership and no double counting of renewable energy attributes Code of Conduct requires disclosures and monitors sellers

Example Product Content Label This product matches 100% of your estimated electricity usage. The product will be made up of the following new renewable resources averaged annually. Green-e Energy Certified New Renewables in [PRODUCT] Generation Location Solar10%CA Wind90%OR Total Green-e Energy Certified Renewables 100% For specific information about this electricity product, please contact [Company Name], [phone], [Web site]. Green-e Energy certifies that [Product Name] meets the minimum environmental and consumer protection standards established by the non-profit Center for Resource Solutions. For more information on Green-e Energy certification requirements, call GREEN or log on to

Program that enables businesses and organizations to use the Green-e certification logo Businesses purchasing Green-e Energy certified renewable energy use the logo to convey their renewable energy commitment to stakeholders The Green-e Logo next to claims adds validity, credibility and independent verification - consumers want this assurance.

Consumer protection program for greenhouse gas emission reductions (aka “offsets”) Certifies “offset” products sold at retail level Program launched in 2008 after 2 year collaborative development process

Requires GHG reductions are independently certified to be real, verified, permanent, enforceable and additional Verifies that consumers get what they pay for -- supply and sales audit Ensures consumers are given full and accurate product disclosures What Functions Does Green-e Climate Provide?

Example Product Content Label

Why is certification important? “Green” can be subjective, mean many things Consumers seek ratings, simplification from those they trust Consumer Reports Morningstar In environmental markets, where benefits are often intangible and unseen, enhances consumer confidence and ensures environmental integrity

What is important in a certification? Open stakeholder consultation Consensus-based decisions Transparency Independence and Integrity Expertise Periodic review/mechanisms to adapt

Contact Andrew Nourafshan Program Analyst Center for Resource Solutions