Companies have also started to take steps against the climate crisis, which is the common problem of the whole world. Firms trying to meet their energy needs from renewable sources may be jeopardizing steps to stop climate change.
Does the transition to renewable energy contribute to the climate crisis?
New research, published in the journal Nature, noted that renewable energy certifications threaten science-based targets. Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) can be purchased by companies with a commitment to support renewable energy projects. However, the companies that received the REC still continue to use fossil fuels.
Recent research showing that Renewable Energy Certificates jeopardize global work; He studied the plans of companies in different industries such as Microsoft, Ford and Best Buy to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. It turned out that these companies that bought the certificate were not as environmentally friendly as they were told.
Anders Bjørn, a researcher at Concordia University, revealed the ‘cheating’ of companies that obtained REC certificates in his latest study. The researcher stated that 115 companies with REC claimed to have reduced their greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent between 2015 and 2019. However, the actual figure was much lower.
According to Anders Bjørn’s study, the rate at which companies cut their emissions during this four-year period was only around 10 percent. In addition, the companies said that they serve their customers on renewable energy based on REC certificates.
“What we can see in our study is that in most cases companies buy certificates that don’t do much for the climate whether they know it or not. Companies’ emissions trajectories are no longer aligned with the 1.5°C target.”
Also, although investments in renewable energy have increased, no firm is acting fast enough to avert the climate crisis. Still, Bjørn believes companies can “voluntarily do that much at most.”
So what do you think about this issue? You can share your views with us in the comments section.
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