Corporate and Institutional Engagement

Renewable Energy Certificates, or RECs, are purchased in the voluntary market by corporations that wish to operate in a more sustainable manner. A REC represents electricity produced from a renewable energy source and the avoidance of carbon dioxide emissions. REC purchases effectively convert standard electricity to renewable forms that do not contribute to climate change. Corporations are entitled to claim the carbon (greenhouse gas) reductions that are associated with their purchase of clean, renewable energy. NextEra Energy Resources can assist your business or institution analyze and evaluate the environmental effects of purchasing RECs.    

A growing number of businesses and institutions are taking action on environmental issues to demonstrate social responsibility and to strengthen stakeholder relationships with customers, investors, employees and the community. For example, a large number of universities and Fortune 500 companies are developing conservation and energy-efficiency programs, as well as purchasing emission offset products, to mitigate their greenhouse gas emissions.

• The U.S. Climate Action Partnership, a coalition of nonprofit organizations and businesses calling for greenhouse gas emissions reductions, launched with 10 major corporations in 2007 and nearly tripled to 28 member companies by the end of the year. (Source: Greener Business Media, State of Green Business 2008)
• In 2003, when the Climate Disclosure Project, which tracks corporate contributions to climate change, issued its first report, 65 U.S. companies had provided climate data. In 2007, 146 companies reported climate emissions information to the Climate Disclosure Project. (Source: Greener Business Media, State of Green Business 2008)

Through a variety of company initiatives, more businesses are achieving the so-called triple bottom line results (people, planet and profits) demanded by customers, employees, local communities and investors. With these increasing expectations from important stakeholders comes a greater need for companies to act in both a transparent and environmentally friendly manner.