Nature (ELF) and Bellona are preparing for the adoption of a common label for ecoenergy in Estonia and Russia, respectively. The label, EKOenergy, was designed in Finland in 1998. The Finnish Association for Nature Conservation (FANC), who manages the scheme, has found it to be working well in Finland.

"Now we are inviting all European environmental NGOs to participate", welcomes Eero Yrjö-Koskinen, the executive director of FANC.

EKOenergy is an impartial ecolabel for energy: solar, wind, hydropower and energy from biofuels. Both electricity and heat produced from renewable sources can be certified. The label aims to provide reassurance of the most environmentally friendly energy products on the market.

Carbon-neutral renewable energy production is inadequate in the context of comprehensive environmental protection.

"Sustainable energy must be part of a low-carbon future, but the low- carbon issue is only a part of sustainable energy. Therefore the label also gives weight to biodiversity issues and cultural heritage considerations", says Urmo Lehtveer, the renewable energy expert at ELF.

For example, hydropower stations are required to construct fish passes to allow migratory fish, such as salmon and trout, to migrate upstream to spawn. Wind farms must not be located in important bird migration, nesting or feeding areas, or in regionally, nationally or internationally significant cultural heritage sites.

"A common ecolabel is needed soon. As European energy markets are rapidly integrating, both private consumers and companies will benefit from Europe-wide provision of ecolabelled energy. People will be able to choose sustainable energy where ever they are, without having to research the criteria of each national label separately. Multinational companies will be able to use energy certified under the same criteria in all their countries of operation", explains Ksenia Vakhrusheva from Bellona.

As well as energy producers, the right to use the EKOenergy label can be granted to companies which use EKOenergy in their premises, and to companies providing energy saving services. Individual customers of EKOenergy can display an EKOenergy sticker on their front door or window.

More information:

mobile: +358 50 572 7782
email: riku.eskelinen at sll.fi

* Urmo Lehtveer, renewable energy expert at ELF
mobile: +372 555 777 90

* Ksenia Vakhrusheva, EKOenergy coordinator at Bellona
mobile: +7 921 318 0138
email: kvakhrusheva at yahoo.com