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Written by Florian Masseube
In a context where the energy transition is at the heart of concerns, the consumption of green electricity represents an essential lever to reduce the carbon footprint. However, faced with the multitude of offers claiming to be "green," it is often difficult for consumers to distinguish those that truly contribute to the development of renewable energies in France. To address this challenge, ADEME launched the "VertVolt" label in 2021, aiming to bring transparency and trust in the choice of green electricity offers. On the occasion of Green Electricity Day on November 27, 2024, ADEME announced the labeling of 12 new offers, while withdrawing certification from two offers that no longer meet the established criteria.
The levels of commitment of the VertVolt label
The VertVolt label distinguishes two levels of commitment for green electricity offers:
- Level "very committed" : in addition to the criteria of the "committed" level, the supplier guarantees that at least 25% of this electricity comes from installations without public support or set up with shared governance, such as citizen projects.
- Level "committed" : the supplier commits to purchasing an amount of electricity equivalent to that which it sells, coming from renewable energy producers in France.
© ADEME
The new labeled offers in 2024
ADEME has awarded the VertVolt label to 12 new offers, distributed as follows:
- Level "very committed" :
- Ultra-local eco-consumption (Octopus)
- 100% local Green Electricity (Alterna SAS)
- Enercoop Individuals (Enercoop)
- Yéli Circuit-Court (GEG SE)
- Level "engaged" :
- Eco-consumption (Octopus)
- My local producer (Ilek)
- Elmy Offer – Individuals - Certified Positive Company ⭐⭐⭐
- Option – Partner Renewable Energy Producer (La Bellenergie)
- Green and tracked Neighbor Offer (Volterres)
- VertElec+ happ-e Option (Engie)
- Smart & Green Premium (Mint Énergie)
- Regional Electric Green (EDF)
Furthermore, for the first time this year, the label has been withdrawn from two offers that no longer met the requirements of the reference.
Implications for businesses
For businesses, choosing a certified VertVolt electricity offer represents a strategic opportunity:
- Strengthening CSR commitment : opting for truly green electricity demonstrates a concrete commitment to the energy transition.
- Contribution to the development of renewable energies : by choosing "highly engaged" offers, businesses directly support local and citizen projects, thus promoting the local economy and job creation.
- Improvement of brand image : responsible energy consumption can enhance the company's reputation with customers, partners, and investors.
Environmental benefits
Supporting certified VertVolt offers presents several environmental advantages:
- Reduction of CO₂ emissions : by prioritizing electricity from renewable sources, we reduce dependence on fossil and nuclear energies, thus decreasing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Promotion of local production : the "highly committed" offers encourage the development of local projects, reducing losses related to electricity transport and strengthening the energy resilience of regions.
Conclusion
The VertVolt label from ADEME provides a valuable compass for navigating the complex landscape of green electricity offers. By choosing labeled offers, businesses and consumers can ensure they are effectively contributing to the energy transition while benefiting from increased transparency about the origin of their electricity. It is therefore essential to consider these labels when selecting an electricity provider to actively support the development of renewable energies in France.