An Irish senator has urged energy firms to “cut the greenwashing crap” and pass the savings they make ditching “meaningless” renewable electricity certificates on to customers.
Sinn Fein Climate Justice spokesperson, Lynn Boylan, was speaking after UK firm Ovo said it will no longer use ‘Guarantees of Origin’ that show their power comes from renewable sources.
Electricity firms already have to show where their fuel mix comes from so customers can make an informed decision about their supplier’s climate impact.
Read more: Senator reports energy firms to advertising watchdog over 'greenwashing' claims
Companies can also buy more expensive ‘Guarantees of Origins’ certificates which The Commission for Regulation of Utilities describes as a “green label”.
But the power bought using them is then mixed with oil, coal and gas power on the grid before being distributed to customers meaning there is no real guarantee that what you get is actually green.
Senator Boylan said: “The Guarantees of Origin scheme is supposed to promote renewable energy and support the transition to a low-carbon economy.
“But in reality, it is nothing more than a greenwashing exercise that lets energy companies buy the appearance of being environmentally responsible for a fraction of what being actually environmentally responsible would cost.
“In the process, they are driving up the cost of electricity for customers without providing much in return.
“Analysis by the energy consultancy, Cornwall Insights, revealed the guarantee of origin scheme has had little to no impact on growing green electricity production.
“By cutting out these meaningless greenwashing certificates, energy providers could save millions of euro and pass on those savings to households struggling with bills.
“Cut the greenwashing crap and pass savings onto households,” she added.
Senator Boylan’s comments follow a number of complaints to Ireland’s advertising watchdog over firms claiming their electricity is 100% green. ASAI held up her first complaint and is investigating a further two.
She added: “I’m calling on all energy providers engaged in this greenwashing nonsense to come clean and disclose how much their schemes cost consumers.
“One British company stated that not buying the certificates would mean a saving of £18.40 per customer a year.
“It decided to cut the greenwashing crap already and is instead offering an energy saving scheme for customers to install smart thermostats.
“It’s time for energy companies to take responsibility for their role in the climate crisis and to stop using greenwashing to distract from their inaction.
“Instead, they should prioritise actual investment in renewable energy and pass on the savings to consumers.”
According to the CRU a “supplier in Ireland whose average overall fuel mix is not 100% renewable can still offer Green Source electricity products to its consumers”.
