Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs): A Cost-Effective Path to Sustainability
In today’s business landscape, sustainability is no longer a “nice-to-have”—it’s an expectation. Whether your company is pursuing internal ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) targets or responding to customer and investor demands, reducing your carbon footprint is essential. But for many businesses, installing on-site renewable energy systems like solar panels isn’t always practical or sufficient.
Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) offer a flexible, affordable solution to help you meet your sustainability goals—without the need for major infrastructure changes.
What Are RECs?
When electricity enters our grid, it’s impossible to track its exact source. It’s like pouring a glass of water into a river. So how can we ever really know if we’re using renewable energy? Enter – RECs.
A Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) represents proof that one megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity was generated from a renewable energy resource and delivered to the grid. When your business purchases RECs, you are effectively claiming the environmental benefits of that renewable generation. You can claim this even if your facility receives electricity from a traditional grid mix.
Why Choose RECs?
1. Affordable & Scalable
RECs provide a budget-friendly way to reduce scope 2 emissions. You can scale your purchase to match your sustainability goals—whether you want to offset a single building or your entire operation.
2. Simplified ESG Compliance
Need to meet specific emission reduction targets or align with corporate ESG standards? RECs make it easy to demonstrate measurable progress and fulfill reporting requirements.
3. Tangible Environmental Impact
RECs fund renewable energy projects like wind and solar farms, helping accelerate the transition to a cleaner energy grid.
4. Transparent and Credible
All RECs are tracked and registered in your company’s name through nationally recognized registries. This ensures accuracy, ownership, and no risk of duplicate claims or greenwashing.
RECs vs. Carbon Offsets: What’s the Difference?
While both tools help reduce your company’s carbon footprint, RECs specifically address scope 2 emissions from purchased electricity. If you’re looking to address other emissions (such as those from travel, supply chains, or natural gas usage), carbon offsets may also be a valuable tool.
Start Your Sustainability Journey with Confidence
At Viridi, we help businesses like yours find the most practical and cost-effective path to sustainability. Whether you’re aiming for net-zero goals or simply want to take the first step toward reducing your emissions, our team can help you understand your options and implement a solution that works for your budget.
Contact us today to learn more about RECs, carbon offsets, and how we can help you build a greener future.
