Standardizing on Sustainable Energy
To ensure its efforts are aligned for maximum impact, the third-party, energy-as-a-service financing industry needs to standardize its offerings around a “common currency”: sustainable energy. The myriad as-a-service offerings in the marketplace creates confusion for customers, and, as a consequence, can lead to inaction.
When service providers standardize on Sustainable Energy:
- Payments are based on measured performance
- Third-party ownership and the use of an open platform allows customers to pick the right technologies for their projects
- Realized CO2 savings are monitored and reported
This level of standardization is what’s required for the as-a-service industry to reach its potential and to advance the fight against climate change. The resources below reflect the convergence taking place that puts Sustainable Energy at the center of those efforts.
UN Sustainable Development Goal No. 7
Sustainable Development Goal 7 is one of 17 Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015. It aims to “Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.”
Sustainable Energy for All
Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) supports progress on Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) and the Paris Agreement. Its work involves engaging stakeholders—business, government, consumers and NGOs—to ensure commitment to the areas of the sustainable energy transition that require more urgent, focused action.
Sustainable Energy as a Service: the case for standardization
Bob Hinkle argues that, by renaming the entire energy-as-a-service sector “sustainable energy as a service” (SEaaS), the core values of the sector can be established. Defining what is and isn’t truly a sustainable energy services agreement will simplify and standardize offerings, benefit customers, and accelerate the scale and scope of project implementation.
2020 Metrus Energy Impact Report
Metrus Energy’s inaugural Impact Report tracks the energy savings, CO2 reduction, and efficiency of the company’s investments in terms of CO2 savings per $1,000 invested across our entire portfolio. It exemplifies Metrus’ belief that it is time for industry-wide, consistent reporting on emissions reductions for all Energy as a Service projects and climate-related Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investments.
Hannon Armstrong 2020 Impact Report
Hannon Armstrong was the first U.S. public company to report the avoided emissions resulting from its investments. Its Impact Report is intended to help reduce fragmentation and accelerate progress toward a generally accepted ESG reporting standard in alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is designed around the four pillars of the common metrics for consistent reporting of sustainable value creation as developed by the World Economic Forum’s International Business Council: Principles of Governance, Planet, People, and Prosperity.