Ecotricity, New Zealand’s leading 100% renewable and net carbonzero certified electricity provider, has gone one step further to help tackle the climate emergency.
Consumers wanting to lower their carbon footprint can now choose Ecotricity’s Toitū climate positive certified electricity and help to significantly reduce the country’s CO2 emissions.
To achieve climate positive status, the company has gone through a rigorous process with Toitū Envirocare, whose certifications are internationally recognised data-led and science-based environmental programmes.
This involved the measurement of Ecotricity’s carbon footprint for its entire value chain and setting absolute science-aligned reduction targets. As well as offsetting remaining emissions through carbon credits at 125% to go beyond neutrality. Plus contributing a further 75% of its carbon footprint by supporting Toitū-approved local environmental and social projects.
Ecotricity’s Founder and Managing Director Al Yates said, “Despite many New Zealanders’ well-placed intentions to act against climate change, their ability to take action is increasingly being put under pressure by more immediate personal socio-economic challenges.”
The average New Zealander emits over 6 tonnes of Co2 per year, of which about 1.4 tonnes comes from electricity usage.
“Other electricity retailers are using coal, gas and geothermal – which contribute to 1.4 tonnes of emissions,” said Yates.
“Ecotricity’s climate positive certified electricity generation comes only from renewable sources so it’s a simple, easy and effective way for Kiwis to immediately eliminate their emissions.”
Teressa Betty, CEO of Toitū Envirocare said, “We’re facing unprecedented times. We only have to look at the past month’s weather as an indication that climate change is not waiting.”
“New Zealanders are devastated by the impact of these recent events and it’s a wakeup call for us all to take urgent action,” she said.
“Achieving Toitū climate positive status is a huge achievement for any company, especially an energy company. Ecotricity is leading the way at a critical time by setting the bar for what good looks like.”
“We can’t stop climate change, but we can certainly minimise our impact. It’s helpful for organisations to remember that you can’t manage what you can’t measure. This means it is critical to look up and down your value chain and make positive changes wherever you can.”
“Ecotricity has gone above and beyond to map out each and every part of its business to identify hotspots, risk areas, and areas to improve upon continually. The more businesses taking action, the greater the impact we can collectively have on our environment.”
Ecotricity sources its Toitū climate positive certified product electricity from Genesis Energy, which exclusively provides this from renewable wind and hydro generation sources. The company also has a substantial base of solar customers who provide an additional supply of Toitū climate positive certified electricity when their excess electricity is exported to the national grid.
https://ecotricity.co.nz/
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Q & As
Doesn’t all the energy in New Zealand come from the grid?
Yes, it does. When we talk about the electricity from Ecotricity being Toitū climate positive certified, Ecotricity supplies the national grid with power sourced only from hydro, wind or solar sources. Because electricity is an interchangeable commodity throughout New Zealand, we are very accurately able to account for how much energy our customers are using and conversely how much we need to purchase from climate positive certified, renewable resources on an annualised basis. The net effect is that Ecotricity is only supplying from certified renewable sources and does not need to tap into dirty sources to fill in the gaps.
As a consumer, is there a way to ensure I only receive ‘green’ electricity?
The short answer is ‘no’, Ecotricity can’t guarantee that customers only receive the Toitū climate positive certified, 100% renewable energy that we supply the grid with. For this to be achieved, New Zealand would need to have a separate green energy grid, connecting renewable sources directly to households. The environmental and financial costs of building this would be significant. However, the company believes it’s more important to focus on the generation side to help get the NZ electricity grid to 100% renewable. Our certification is based on international protocols and United Nations Product Specifications for supplying electricity from renewable sources. The reason it is important to support climate positive certified electricity is so that new renewable electricity is developed, in particular wind and solar, so by choosing Ecotricity you are encouraging more electricity generation through sustainable means.
Creating a green energy grid is a United Nations protocol. Ecotricity is leading the industry and the sector by going above and beyond to map out sustainable processes up the value chain and down the value chain and within our organisation as well. You can’t manage what you can’t measure and the company is leading the way in terms of showing how to be accountable for carbon and transparent about not only reduction but off-setting.
Why should we care if our energy is carbonzero or carbon positive?
Energy is a way of life. It is incorporated into nearly everything we do. It heats and powers our homes, transports us, and makes food and goods for us to consume. Without it we would be lost, we rely on having a constant supply of energy. The one downside to energy use is where it comes from, and this is where Ecotricity is making a difference. The energy sector contributes about 41% of New Zealand’s total emissions, with almost half of that coming from transport. Energy sources like oil, coal, gas, geothermal and cogeneration are major emissions producers that are significantly contributing to climate change.
Ecotricity uses only 100% renewable and Toitū climate positive certified wind, hydro and solar energy sources to power New Zealand. These sources don’t produce any emissions while generating energy for the country, and any emissions associated with the construction, maintenance, and deconstruction are accurately measured, calculated, and offset by us through Toitū Envirocare’s quality carbon credit projects.
Even though the battle for clean renewable energy is a long one, things are starting to look greener as we introduce new renewable energy sources. In the past year, New Zealand’s emissions have started to drop which is great news and why it’s worth switching to Ecotricity to make a difference.
Who is Toitū Envirocare?
Toitū Envirocare leads positive change through a system of science-based environmental programmes. The organisation is made up of a team of scientists and business experts who have come together to protect the ecological and economic future of this place, catalysing action for a zero-carbon future.
Though developed for New Zealand business needs, Toitū Envirocare’s offerings currently serve over 800 clients worldwide and have helped reduce 8.4 million tonnes of carbon and they’re only just getting started. Wholly owned by Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research, a Crown Research Institute, our origins are in science, but our future is in the sustainability of our economy, our people, and our land.
Since 2019 Toitū Envirocare has been a Certified B Corporation. We are committed to being a business that not only acts as a power for good but does no harm. Through our impact business models, we empower other organisations to understand and improve environmental performance, but within our own business, we have taken specific steps to ensure we are improving our performance. We are also active in the B Corp Community working on supporting other B Corps to take meaningful, science-based climate action
What must a company or product do to become Toitū climate positive certified?
The Toitū climate positive programme is founded on the latest science and international standards with verifiable and comparable results. To earn certification, an organisation or product must measure and report in annual audits, all operational and value chain emissions in accordance with the ISO 14064-1:2018 for organisations and ISO 14067:2018 for product lifecycle emissions.
The programme requires the setting and achievement of science-aligned reduction targets, as well as a clear decarbonisation strategy. From an accounting perspective, the carbon balance sheet for members will show a negative balance as all unavoidable emissions are offset through the cancellation of verified carbon credits, going beyond net zero to have a positive impact. Members are required to go beyond carbon neutral to have a positive impact through additional carbon credits (25% of the organisation or product footprint) and contributing to wider environmental and social outcomes (equivalent to the cost of offsetting 75% of the organisation or product footprint). The programme not only focuses on reducing emissions, but also requires engagement and broader social and environmental outcomes, aligning with science for a sustainable future
When did Ecotricity become Toitū net carbonzero?
Before Ecotricity became Toitū climate positive, the company provided New Zealand with Toitū net carbonzero certified electricity and was also Toitū net carbonzero certified as an organisation. Being Toitū net carbonzero certified means Ecotricity purchases from specific wind, hydro and solar generation sites and measures all greenhouse gases associated with the full lifecycle of those stations. The company has detailed programs in place which follow United Nations Product Protocols to measure and minimise their greenhouse gas emissions. Any remaining emissions that cannot be avoided, such as the construction of wind and solar farms, are offset by purchasing verified carbon credits, including native bush and ESG projects, that made Ecotricity not only carbon neutral but also supporters of New Zealand’s and international biodiversity.
What is the difference between carbonzero and carbonpositive electricity?
What is the process to become carbon positive?
Why choose Ecotricity as your energy retailer?
From a consumer point of view, customers can be confident that when they choose Ecotricity, they know they are picking a provider who is leading in climate action. The organisation has systems there to reduce its carbon emissions. It is NZ’s first Toitū climate positive certified company. It has been carbon neutral from the beginning. It is the first electricity retail brand to achieve Climate Positive status under a Toitū Envirocare Certification.
Who owns Ecotricity?
Ecotricity was founded by Al Yates (CEO) and his brother Mark Yates (Director). In 2014, Wind Farm Group (Airtricity) and Pioneer Energy (Central Lakes Trust) teamed up to establish Ecotricity and provide the only Climate Positive certified renewable electricity to the market. In late 2019 Ecotricity and Genesis Energy entered into a NewRenewable partnership accelerating the development of new wind, solar and storage projects.
The partnership included Genesis Energy’s purchase of Pioneer Energy’s share in Ecotricity, with Ecotricity founders Al and Mark Yates retaining their ownership. Genesis Energy is 51% Government owned, so we are part-owned by a team of 5 million kiwis. The Ecotricity head office is in Auckland, New Zealand, and in 2022 is the fastest growing retailer.