New scheme must banish misleading green energy claims

energywatch and the National Consumer Council (NCC) today call for the planned government-backed green energy accreditation scheme to provide consumers with tariffs that are clear, honest and make a difference – genuinely saving carbon emissions and backed by cast iron evidence.

This would mean that energy companies couldn’t use the complex regulatory rules to count the greenness of their electrictiy more than once. NCC and energywatch also want green tariffs to be ranked according to their carbon emission savings – to help consumers distinguish between different offers.

Almost two thirds of people say they would consider switching to a green energy tariff, but according to NCC research, only around one per cent have done so. The two consumer champions argue that bewildering levels of complexity and confusion are part of the explanation.

Jonathan Stearn, Head of Campaigns at energywatch, said: “Low levels of trust and confusion are holding the green energy market back. Consumers need verified information so they can choose with confidence the green tariffs that make a difference by reducing carbon emissions. Our proposals would ensure that tariffs are transparent, offer additional environmental benefits and are independently verified”.

Cassie Higgs, NCC Senior Policy Advocate, said: “It’s important that the new scheme ranks different green tariffs according to the amount of CO2 they save. A simple ‘pass’ or ‘fail’ mark will do little to encourage competition among suppliers to make their tariffs even greener. We urge the government, the energy regulator and the accreditation body to adopt a graded approach in finalising the new accreditation scheme. This will help make greener energy choices easier for consumers.”

Today, the NCC and energywatch have responded to consultations that will determine the future integrity of green energy tariffs.