What is greenwashing and how can we recognise it?

Greenwashing is the term to describe companies who make illusions about the environmental credentials of their products and services. We have detailed below what greenwashing can be and how to spot it in the future.

How do you know your energy is renewable?

When you purchase biomethane (also known as green gas or biogas) it doesn’t mean that the gas going into your business is biogas. There is no link between the gas consumed at your site to what you’ve purchased. All homes and business premises in the UK receive power from the same place – the National Grid.

If a gas supplier labels their whole business as being green, promoting their Renewable Gas Guarantees of Origin (RGGOs) certificates, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they have enough renewable energy from the wholesale market to cover their customer contracts. Businesses are able to purchase RGGOs, which labels their gas as green, but it doesn’t mean that all energy supplied is renewable.

If you are curious about where your business gas comes from, just ask your supplier. They should be able to tell you where they get it from in simple terms to help you understand just how renewable your gas is.

Dispelling some of the common myths

“Natural gas is clean”

Many suppliers play on the term ‘natural’ gas, claiming that it is the cleanest fossil fuel. Coal or oil may produce more CO2 than natural gas but it is far from sustainable. It is carbon intensive and not a viable long-term energy source. Biogas helps to reduce, not increase, carbon emissions but doesn’t stop them completely.

“Carbon offsetting is the solution”

Carbon offsetting is a way to reduce the impact burning gas has on the environment but it does not solve the damage that natural gas causes to our planet. Whilst buying credits can make a small difference, gas suppliers should not be promoting this as the solution.

“Biomethane is carbon neutral”

This is incorrect. Biogas produces 99% less Scope 1 emissions than fossil fuel gas, which means it is virtually carbon neutral, not completely carbon neutral.

Stay on top of your consumption

Getting a Smart or Advanced Meter (AMR) for your business will enable you to stay on top of your consumption levels, which can help you proactively look for ways to change your energy consumption habits. This is invaluable insight for businesses – something we should all be doing to help reduce the impact our businesses have on the environment.

Switch to biogas – be the change you want to see

As one of the leading suppliers offering 100% biogas (biomethane), we believe one of the biggest things a business can do, to help the fight against climate change in relation to gas consumption, is to switch to biogas. We also offer carbon credits to our customers, should they wish to offset their carbon emissions. Whilst we believe that biogas is the way forward, both biogas and carbon offsetting can reduce your carbon footprint.

Get in touch with our team today for more information on ways that your business can make positive changes to your consumption habits.