Can I offset global warming pollution by purchasing certified renewable power or RECs?
Environmental Defense encourages the purchase of renewable energy and RECs as a way to increase energy diversity and foster the growth of the renewable energy market. However, we do not believe that renewable energy products should be used as direct greenhouse gas emissions reductions. While purchasing a REC is equivalent to purchasing renewable energy, RECs do not necessarily lead to direct reductions of global warming pollution. As a result, it is unclear whether RECs can represent real claims of ownership on direct emission reductions. Our position is that a REC is a proof or guarantee that a unit of electricity has been generated by a renewable resource. In most cases RECs do not lead to direct greenhouse gas emissions and consequently, they are not equivalent to carbon offsets and should not be used to offset direct emissions related to corporate carbon footprint. Carbon offsets are the most appropriate tools for offsetting direct emissions.
