SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF (November 20, 2006)--In
the wake of the harrowing predictions included in the Stern Review
on the Economics of Climate Change, and in light of other similar
reports recently in the press, the Center for Resource Solutions (CRS)
announced today that the new Green-e Retail Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Product
Certification Standard will be released for stakeholder comment in the
next few weeks. CRS is developing the new standard with the Green-e
GHG Advisory Group, comprised of key environmental organizations, government
agencies, businesses, and advocacy organizations who work on climate
change issues.
The Green-e Program is developing this new certification
standard to provide consumer protection and market support to the emerging
retail greenhouse gas reduction market and the growing number of consumers
who choose to decrease their own contribution to global warming by purchasing
greenhouse gas reductions. Recent press coverage of voluntary greenhouse
gas reduction programs highlights the need for a well designed standard
that ensures customers are getting high quality reductions and are protected
from double counting and misleading marketing practices.
Growing public and business interest in voluntary
climate action, along with predictions in the Stern Report
that highlight the need to take immediate action, have added an additional
level of urgency to CRS’s work. “For consumers wanting to
use their market power to bring about change, certification and verification
of greenhouse gas reduction products will give them the reassurance
that their purchase is making a difference,” said Dr. Jan Hamrin,
president of CRS.
For 10 years, CRS has developed standards for renewable
energy in a complex electric regulatory environment. CRS brings that
valuable experience to the table in the creation of this new standard
for retail greenhouse gas reduction products. The CRS consumer protection
standards use transparent, open, stakeholder-driven processes to ensure
consensus-based standards that are widely accepted by stakeholders.
Those interested in participating as stakeholders in the upcoming standard
review process should contact Alex Pennock, Certification & Analysis
services associate, at alex@resource-solutions.org.
About Green-e and
the
Center for Resource Solutions
Launched in 1997, the Green-e Renewable Energy
Certification Program is the leading independent certification and verification
program that sets standards for renewable energy options. The Green-e
logo serves as national symbol for consumer protection and the "seal
of approval" indicating high quality, verified renewable energy.
Over one hundred marketers and utilities throughout North America now
offer Green-e certified renewable energy products. Collectively these
suppliers sold over five million MWh of Green-e certified renewable
energy in 2005. To learn more about certified renewable energy available
in all 50 states, visit: www.green-e.org,
or call 1-888-63-GREEN.
Green-e is a program of the Center for Resource
Solutions, a national nonprofit organization that works to make it easier
for people and organizations to use renewable energy as a tool for mitigating
climate change. CRS designs and operates national and international
programs that support the increased supply and use of renewable energy
resources such as wind, solar, biomass, geothermal, low-impact hydroelectric
power, and other clean energy sources. To learn more about CRS, visit:www.resource-solutions.org.
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