SSE Green energy – for business success on the road to net zero
Whether you’re a corporate CEO, established sole trader or starting up, you need to consider how to cut carbon emissions and appeal to consumers increasingly concerned about climate change. Switching to SSE Green energy is a great way to start.
There are many forms of green or low-carbon energy available to today’s savvy energy consumer. What makes us different from the rest is that all our renewable electricity comes from our own generation that our renewables business has developed, owns and operates, either wholly or in shares with other partners. Around 25% of all the electricity we supply today is on a green tariff backed by our own wind or hydro generation, directly helping to combat climate change. That’s great news for the planet and for businesses across the UK.
Because in 2021 you can’t afford to ignore the climate crisis. According to an IBM/National Retail Federation report last year, 57% of consumers surveyed said they’re willing to change their purchasing habits to reduce negative environmental impact. And pursuing environmental goals is an increasingly important way for businesses to attract and retain employees and investors.
What’s more, environmental regulations are constantly evolving as the UK aims for net zero by 2050. If you’re a large energy user, you may need to report your carbon emissions and the measures you’re taking to improve energy efficiency.
That’s why we developed SSE Green – renewable energy products designed to cut your carbon footprint and demonstrate your green credentials to consumers and regulators, whatever the size of your business.
Stand out from the competition
Whatever SSE Green option you choose, you’ll get specially designed certificates and logos to show customers, staff and stakeholders you’re serious about cutting carbon.
SSE Green Electricity is clean, green power generated wholly from hydro and wind assets. Backed by Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGOs), it’s certified 100% renewable, with additional independent verification from EcoAct, an Atos company. You get your electricity through the national grid as normal, with each megawatt matched to a REGO.
“Our SSE Green certificate is on display inside our mill,” says Clare Campbell, founder of Prickly Thistle tartan mill, an SSE Green Electricity customer. “It’s important that it’s verified because it adds to our credibility.”
As our renewables business is the UK and Ireland’s largest renewable electricity generator, we can go one step further. Sign up for SSE Next Generation, and we’ll match each unit of power you use to REGOs from one of our own generating assets – named on your SSE Green certificate for added credibility.
“We’re proud to say our energy comes from Walney Wind Farm, off the coast of Cumbria, part of the area where we distribute electricity,” says Nicola Davies, Electricity North West’s Energy Manager.
Report your emissions with confidence
SSE Green Electricity also makes it easy to credibly measure and report your carbon emissions.
Many larger organisations need to report emissions from the electricity they buy under the Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) framework. These are known as “Scope 2” emissions, as defined by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHGP).
Over 11,900 UK organisations need to comply with SECR regulations, and from April this year, they’ll also need to include figures from the previous year.
To help your SECR reporting, SSE Green Electricity is independently verified by EcoAct – direct evidence for auditors that the product complies with GHGP’s market-based methodology.
This means you can credibly report these Scope 2 emissions as zero alongside average emissions using the location-based methodology, enabling customers, stakeholders, suppliers and investors to see that you’ve chosen a genuinely renewable energy product.
Cut carbon with gas
Another way to reduce carbon and stand out in the market is to switch to renewable gas.
Produced from sources like agricultural materials, food waste and wastewater, renewable gas results in lower greenhouse gas emissions than natural gas. But buying 100% renewable gas may not suit all business budgets, so we offer a choice of products:
- SSE Green Gas: 25% certified renewable gas and 75% carbon-neutral gas backed by carbon offsets, option.1 To further reduce carbon at home, we also pledge to plant one tree in the UK for every SSE Green Gas customer.
- SSE Green Gas Plus: 100% certified renewable gas for more ambitious green targets.2
Backed by Renewable Gas Guarantees of Origin (RGGOs) or Biomethane Certificates (BMCs), SSE Green Gas Plus is also independently verified by EcoAct. This allows you to report reduced Scope 1 carbon emissions under GHGP.3
Build green supply chains
You can have an even greater positive impact on your emissions and the environment by encouraging your suppliers to go green.
With SSE Green Supply Chain, you can use your economies of scale to give your supply chain access to SSE’s traceable renewable energy at a preferential rate – cut your carbon footprint, reduce other indirect (Scope 3) emissions and boost your green credentials.
Optimise energy use, cut costs
SSE Green energy is one of a range of solutions we can offer your business to cut carbon and costs, including:
- Smart meters: see your energy costs in real-time and get accurate bills to help you budget.
- SSE Clarity: visualise your energy consumption and work out ways to save money with our free online energy management platform.
- Energy optimisation: identify and implement energy efficiency measures with services covering nearly all aspects of the energy and smart markets.
Make 2021 a year to act
As the UK looks to “building back greener” after Covid-19, let’s make 2021 a year of action on sustainability.
At SSE, we’re proud to be a Principal Partner for the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), due to take place in Glasgow in November – a milestone on the road to net zero. Because we believe business success and green energy solutions go hand in hand, and we’re here to help your business.
Find out more about SSE Green – for business success and a better world of energy.
- You’ll continue to get your gas through the national grid as normal, and we’ll match 25% of your consumption to an RGGO or BMC. The remaining 75% is backed by carbon offset projects abroad.
- You’ll continue to get your gas through the national grid as normal, and we’ll match all your gas consumption to an RGGO or BMC, with additional verification from EcoAct.
- Scope 1 emissions can be reported using appropriate “Biogas” and “Outside of Scopes” emissions factors.
