BOULDER, COLO.—Renewable Choice Energy announced that it has joined Green-e Climate, and can now provide certified carbon offsets to green building projects under the new U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC’s) LEED v4 guidelines. The LEED v4 guidelines, which were released in November of 2013, provide universal criteria for green building performance, including new market sectors, new environmental impact categories, and clearer guidance to aid in the global adoption of green building practices.
Under the LEED v4 Energy and Atmosphere Credit, certified buildings may receive points for use of green power and carbon offsets. The v4 guidelines require a longer-term commitment and partnership with newer renewable energy and carbon offset projects, alongside requirements for projects to offset total energy consumption and to use Green-e Energy certified renewable energy credits (RECs) and Green-e Climate certified offsets, or equivalent.
“We are delighted to join the Green-e Climate program,” said Aran Rice, VP of Sales for Renewable Choice. “Adding Green-e Climate certified carbon offsets to our portfolio allows us to deliver highly credible greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction products to our green building clients, enabling them to comply with the LEED v4 guidelines for the Energy and Atmosphere Credit.”
Green-e Climate is an independent certification and consumer-protection program that certifies carbon offsets at the retail level to independently verify sales and exclusive retail ownership. It requires that carbon offsets sold include GHG emission reductions that have been verified according to strict project-level certification programs (ensuring that the emission reductions have taken place, are permanent, and come from projects that would not have happened under a “business as usual” scenario), along with correct retail delivery and truth in marketing.
Offsets Procured from Landfill Gas Projects
The offsets sold by Renewable Choice will be procured from landfill gas projects registered with California-based Climate Action Reserve. These projects—based in Georgia, South Carolina, and Texas—reduce GHG emissions through a landfill gas collection and destruction system. According to the EPA, municipal solid waste landfills are the third-largest source of human-related methane emissions in the United States.
In addition to offering a certified fixed mix of offsets, for the first time, green building customers will have the option of purchasing Green-e Climate certified offsets from a specific project through Renewable Choice, giving builders greater choice in which offset projects to support. By purchasing the Green-e Climate certified carbon offsets offered by Renewable Choice, green builders can be confident that they are aiding the development of emission reduction projects that wouldn’t have otherwise been built, leading to real reductions in GHGs generated from U.S. landfills.
“Over the past few years, we’ve seen increasing demand for carbon offsets,” said John Powers, VP of Business Development at Renewable Choice. “Our ability to support landfill gas projects as a source of these offsets aligns with our goals as an organization to advance clean energy development and emission reduction strategies.”
Renewable Choice has supplied green power and carbon offsets to more than 5,000 LEED projects worldwide since it first began doing so in 2003. The firm’s green building business development team members have all earned credentials as a LEED Accredited Professional (AP) or Green Associate (GA). The company is also an active member of both the USGBC and the Canadian Green Building Council (CaGBC). Renewable Choice client Haworth Beijing Organic Showroom was recognized as the first building certified under LEED v4.
Go to Renewable Choice Energy.
