The WindMade organisation announced a new consumer label for goods and products made using renewable energy at the United Nations’ COP18 climate summit in Doha yesterday.

The new label, which will be launched next year, is being backed by the UN itself, WWF, the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) and leading Danish turbine manufacturer Vestas.

It will recognise a variety of renewable energy sources like solar, geothermal, hydro and biomass (from certified sources), so companies that use multiple renewable energy sources will be able to use the label.

WindMade was launched last year as the first consumer label for companies using wind power and has been adopted by major global enterprises including Motorola, Bloomberg, Deutsche Bank, Widex and BD.

“Expanding WindMade is a natural progression, and this move follows strong demand from the market,” says WindMade chair Steve Sawyer.

A survey earlier this year for WindMade indicated that over 90% of 24,000 consumers from 20 countries would prefer the option to purchase products made with renewable energy, even at a price premium.

“We know from our surveys that consumers are ready to reward companies that use clean energy,” says Morten Albæk of Vestas. “Having a consumer label that creates transparency about company use of renewable energy is really a win-win proposition.”

For further information:
www.windmade.org

Related stories:
‘WindMade’ consumer label aims to counter greenwash claims (18-Jan 2011)

Article source: http://www.energyefficiencynews.com/i/5607/