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Electricity Certification Programs

Electricity Certification Programs. Ian Rowlands University of Waterloo CEA/NRCan Workshop 25 November 2002. Purpose. to introduce electricity certification programs generate discussion about their role in ‘ diversifying the mix’. Outline. ecolabels, generally

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Electricity Certification Programs

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  1. Electricity Certification Programs Ian Rowlands University of Waterloo CEA/NRCan Workshop 25 November 2002

  2. Purpose • to introduce electricity certification programs • generate discussion about their role in ‘diversifying the mix’

  3. Outline • ecolabels, generally • electricity certification programs (ECPs) • intentions • some global examples • similarities and differences, worldwide • Canadian situation • ongoing issues and prospects • summary and conclusions

  4. Ecolabels, generally • ecolabels’ intention • identify those products and services that are, based on life cycle considerations, environmentally-preferable

  5. Ecolabels, generally • the motivation? • to get consumers to buy more environmentally-friendly products and services $

  6. Electricity Certification Programs: ECPs • intentions • similar to those of ecolabelling programs more generally • unlike many products, however, it is not the product itself that is ‘different’ • instead, virtually all environmental impacts occur ‘earlier in the lifecycle’

  7. ECPs: some global examples Switzerland United States United Kingdom Australia Germany

  8. ECPs: similarities, worldwide • what is ‘green’? • what is not ‘green’?

  9. ECPs: differences, worldwide • declared aim of the program ‘reduce GHG emissions’ ‘reduce air emissions’ ‘reduce environmental impacts’ broad narrow

  10. ECPs: differences, worldwide • inclusion of ‘light green’ resources • particularly hydropower and biofuels

  11. ECPs: differences, worldwide • inclusion of ‘new’ versus ‘old’ green electricity • percentage of ‘new’ in a certified product • how is ‘new’ defined (i.e., what cut-off date is used?)

  12. ECPs: differences, worldwide • part of ‘broader’ ecolabel program, or not • governance • executive responsibilities • day-to-day management

  13. ECPs: differences, worldwide • ‘levels’ of certification • only one, or more than one • certification of ‘blends’ • role of ‘green power funds’

  14. ECPs: Canadian situation Discussion Draft ECP-79 ‘Guideline on Renewable Low-Impact Electricity’

  15. ECPs: ongoing debates and prospects • certification programs have had an impact to date • verifying supplies and increasing consumer confidence • however, on their own, electricity certification programs may only get us ‘so far’ ...

  16. ECPs: ongoing debates and prospects • ... thus, their relationship with other strategies needs to be considered • for example, renewable portfolio standards, systems benefits charges and so on

  17. ECPs: ongoing debates and prospects • international interactions among different certification programs • in North America, any incongruity between continentalisation and sub-national activity to promote ‘green electricity’? • potential for trade and/or investment disputes? • encourages us to ask at what scale should certification programs be undertaken?

  18. ECPs: ongoing debates and prospects • international interactions among different certification programs • benefits of a harmonised approach • benefits of a localised approach • more fully describing a ‘middle ground’ • lessons from Europe?

  19. Summary and Conclusions • Presenter’s contact details: Ian Rowlands Faculty of Environmental Studies University of Waterloo tel: (519) 888-4567, ext. 2574 email: irowland@uwaterloo.ca

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