How some companies cut corners to achieve renewable energy targets

How some companies cut corners to achieve renewable energy targets

Hundreds of companies around the world have made ambitious promises to purchase only wind, solar and other types of clean electricity to power their operations. But many of these corporations aren't buying actual physical electricity from renewable sources. Instead, they are snapping up incredibly cheap instruments known as unbundled renewable energy certificates, or RECs, which allows them to make "100% renewable power" claims while continuing to emit greenhouse gases as before. The practice is also problematic because it does little to encourage the establishment of new wind or solar farms —not a good outcome in the broader fight against climate change.

In this episode, we talk to Max Scher, head of clean energy and carbon programs at software giant Salesforce, which used to buy RECs but no longer does so.

"My general fear here is that if we are hyper-focused on… purchasing RECs, we're going to miss the hard work, the important work, on reducing energy consumption, thinking about siting of facilities on cleaner grids" and other real-world steps to lower the carbon footprint of corporations," Max tells us.

We also hear from an analyst at Lazard Asset Management, and from Matthew Brander, a carbon accounting expert at the University of Edinburgh who cautions that buying RECS instead of actual renewable power can be "a very low-cost easy way of making it appear to have reduced emissions."

Photo credit: Getty images

Tämä jakso on lisätty Podme-palveluun avoimen RSS-syötteen kautta eikä se ole Podmen omaa tuotantoa. Siksi jakso saattaa sisältää mainontaa.

Jaksot(366)

Why JPMorgan is looking at climate, energy and food system risks through a resilience lens

Why JPMorgan is looking at climate, energy and food system risks through a resilience lens

In this episode of the All Things Sustainable podcast, we cover Climate Week NYC key takeaways with a guest who brings together perspectives from climate science and the financial sector: Dr. Sarah Ka...

25 Syys 18min

Tech giant NVIDIA talks AI's sustainability risks and opportunities

Tech giant NVIDIA talks AI's sustainability risks and opportunities

In this special Climate Week NYC episode of the All Things Sustainable podcast, we sit down with Josh Parker, Head of Sustainability at technology giant NVIDIA.   NVIDIA develops chips, systems an...

24 Syys 26min

New York bank CEO talks affordability, AI and climate solutions at Climate Week NYC

New York bank CEO talks affordability, AI and climate solutions at Climate Week NYC

Climate Week NYC is expected to convene more than 100,000 attendees for more than 1,000 planned events across New York City Sept. 20-27. Throughout the week we're bringing you special daily episodes f...

23 Syys 16min

PRI interim CEO talks changing landscape for responsible investment

PRI interim CEO talks changing landscape for responsible investment

Climate Week NYC is underway, and the All Things Sustainable podcast is on the ground talking to leaders from across industries and around the world — including the global investor community. In today...

22 Syys 19min

As Climate Week NYC kicks off, energy, climate and national security converge

As Climate Week NYC kicks off, energy, climate and national security converge

Climate Week NYC is expected to convene more than 100,00 attendees for more than 1,000 events across New York City Sept. 20-27. We're kicking off our special daily podcast episodes with a topic that w...

21 Syys 25min

How a European bank aims to finance the transition to a more resilient economy

How a European bank aims to finance the transition to a more resilient economy

Euronext Sustainability Week wraps up Sept. 18, and in this special episode to end the week, the All Things Sustainable podcast is talking to Triodos Bank CEO Marcel Zuidam.   Triodos is a Nethe...

18 Syys 28min

How a European renewable energy company is pursuing affordability amid geopolitical uncertainty

How a European renewable energy company is pursuing affordability amid geopolitical uncertainty

Euronext Sustainability Week runs Sept. 14-18 under the title 'Building resilience in a changing world.' All Things Sustainable is the official podcast and in bonus episodes throughout this week, we...

16 Syys 23min

Why resilience is the buzzword as Euronext Sustainability Week kicks off

Why resilience is the buzzword as Euronext Sustainability Week kicks off

Euronext Sustainability Week runs Sept. 14-18, and in this special episode kicking off the week, we're talking to Euronext Group Head of ESG and Sustainable Finance Camille Leca.   Euronext operates...

14 Syys 24min

Suosittua kategoriassa Liike-elämä ja talous

sijotuskasti
vallattomat
psykopodiaa-podcast
rss-rahapodi
mimmit-sijoittaa
rss-hereilla
rss-oivalluksia-rahasta-elamasta
ostan-asuntoja-podcast
hyva-paha-johtaminen
rss-paasipodi
rss-rahamania
oppimisen-psykologia
rss-paikoillenne-valmiit-laakikseen
rss-set-for-life-sijoita-ja-vaurastu
rss-tyoelamasta-podcast
rss-hilden-kaira
rss-sami-miettinen-neuvottelija
rss-kaupan-tila
syo-nuku-saasta
rss-inderes