Green-e Marketplace™ Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Green-e Marketplace™?

A: Green-e Marketplace™ is a program that lets companies display the Green-e® logo on their corporate communications, products and company collateral to communicate their commitment to clean, renewable energy.

Q: Why should I join Green-e Marketplace™?

A: Green-e Marketplace™ provides forward-thinking companies with a simple, nationally recognized logo they can use to communicate their commitment to renewable energy to their customers and shareholders. The Green-e® logo is the nation’s leading symbol of renewable energy excellence and distinguishes Green-e Marketplace™ participants as environmental leaders.

Q: What are the program’s requirements?

A: In order to qualify to participate in Green-e Marketplace™, prospective clients must purchase and/or generate a qualifying amount of Green-e Energy™ certified renewable energy. These minimum purchasing requirements reflect those of the EPA’s Green Power Partnership Leadership requirements and are outlined on page two of Annex B: Logo Use Terms and Conditions & Language Guidelines. Additionally, in order to use the logo on products that reflect their brand, 100 percent of the electricity used to manufacture the product must be met with Green-e Energy™ Certified renewable energy. Green-e Marketplace™ staff approves use of the logo on products on a case-by-case basis.

Q: What claims can I make about my renewable energy purchase?

A: Annex B: Logo Use Terms and Conditions & Language Guidelines outlines specific claims and commitment statements that can be made in conjunction with the Green-e Energy™ logo. The program allows participating companies to make claims about their commitment to certified, renewable energy as it relates to the electricity used in their headquarters, manufacturing processes, and/or entire operations.

Q: What claims can’t I make about my renewable energy purchase?

A: Green-e Marketplace™ does not endorse or approve any environmental claims not contained in Annex B: Logo Use Terms and Conditions & Language Guidelines. Companies that choose to make carbon equivalency or other environmental claims based on their purchase/generation of renewable energy are advised to always disclose the methodologies and research they used to justify those claims. Green-e Marketplace™ always encourages program participants to work with an independent third party to verify any corporate environmental claims.

Q: What is the difference between renewable energy certified under Green-e Energy™ and renewable energy certified under Green-e Climate™?

A: Green-e Energy™ certifies renewable energy sold to consumers. Green-e Climate™ certifies the sale of greenhouse gas reductions (or carbon offsets) sold to consumers.

Q: Does Green-e Marketplace™ certify companies that have purchased offsets?

A: a. Green-e Marketplace™ does not currently have a logo-use program that recognizes companies for their purchase of carbon offsets. Green-e Marketplace™ only allows use of the logo based on a purchase of Green-e Energy™ Certified renewable energy products.