UK-based Evident, an authority in the certification of the clean economy in the global south, has launched the Evident Impact Programme. This new initiative allows participants and beneficiaries to redeem International Renewable Energy Certificates (I-RECs) in a way that directly supports social and environmental causes, with 100% of the fee from redemptions donated to organisations aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Organisations supported by the programme include Energy Peace Partners, who are expanding renewable energy access in fragile regions with innovative climate finance solutions; UNICEF; and Barefoot College International, which empowers rural communities through sustainable development.
I-RECs redeemed through the programme will be permanently removed from the market, preventing claims against electricity consumption, and ensuring that the renewable energy benefit remains within the residual mix of the country of origin. Redeeming I-RECs using the Evident Impact Programme enables Participants and Beneficiaries to have confidence that their I-RECs are delivering tangible benefits to communities and the environment, while strengthening global sustainability efforts.
This comes as Evident announces it has issued 1 billion I-RECs. To give this context, this is enough clean energy to power the continent of Africa for over a year, Chad for 2,564 years, Colombia for 11 years, Jamaica for 222 years, and the world, excluding Asia, North America and Europe, for one year.
I-RECs play a crucial role in sustainable development by enabling businesses, governments, and organisations to credibly claim their electricity comes from renewable sources. The issuance of 1 billion I-RECs has far-reaching implications for the Global South, where I-REC markets have helped to drive investment into renewable energy infrastructure. In doing so, I-RECs have helped to empower local communities across Africa, South-East Asia and Latin America by providing clean energy solutions that foster economic development, drive job creation, provide environmental resilience and increase quality of life.
Ed Everson, CEO of Evident said: “Launched during Evident’s 10th anniversary year, the Evident Impact Programme reflects a commitment to tackling global challenges like energy poverty and climate change. By enabling organisations to redeem I-RECs for direct impact, we can create new ways to promote social and environmental progress across the markets we operate in. We’re proud to support initiatives like Energy Peace Partners through this programme. Together, we’re working toward a future where access to clean energy is a right for everyone, not just a privilege.”
“The Evident Impact Programme offers a powerful opportunity to leverage otherwise unredeemed I-RECs to support the work of nonprofit organisations like Energy Peace Partners,” said Dave Mozersky, President at Energy Peace Partners. “We encourage I-REC market participants to support our work to develop innovative finance solutions and impact research that together help expand renewable energy access and promote peace for communities in fragile settings.”
To find out more about Evident, the Evident Impact Programme or how I-RECs can support clean energy goals, visit https://evident.global/
