Trying to work out which energy plan is right for you? You’re likely to see a lot of sustainability lingo being thrown around when it comes to power, and not all of it is straightforward.
From words like ‘fossil fuels’ and ‘carbon credits’, it can all be very confusing – and then there are terms like ‘carbon neutral’ and ‘GreenPower’ making their way onto the energy scene which can make your head spin even more.
This makes choosing an energy plan challenging when you’re not entirely sure what you’re looking for.
But what if we told you opting for a GreenPower electricity plan has 13 times more impact than many common household actions? It has more impact than living car free, switching to an electric vehicle or even going vegan – and it’s second only to installing rooftop solar.
Trees and greenery are a way of offsetting CO2 by removing it from the atmosphere. Picture: Getty
So, with this in mind, let’s break down your energy options about why GreenPower is leading the way in renewable energy.
Different renewable energy forms
While many energy providers in Australia still largely lean on fossil fuels to produce electricity, there’s a growing dependence on renewable energy sources.
Renewable energy, also known as green energy, is a more sustainable type of energy because it comes from resources that replenish – and while you might think recycling is enough to offset environmental impact, it’s not. It’s nowhere near as impactful as changing your energy plan.
How is GreenPower different?
GreenPower is the only government-accredited and audited renewable energy scheme in Australia.
When you’re on a 100% GreenPower electricity plan, your energy provider purchases the equivalent amount of the electricity you use from wind and solar farms.
The scheme relies on renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.
This means that by switching to GreenPower, not only are you reducing your carbon footprint, but you’re also helping Australia move away from fossil fuels like coal and gas and towards a net-zero future.
Carbon-neutral offsetting
Carbon-neutral energy plans are being peddled more and more by various energy providers but they could seem more impactful than they actually are.
This is because, sadly, often these plans still tend to use fossil fuels as an energy source rather than renewable resources like GreenPower does.
Carbon-neutral electricity plans require the energy provider to calculate the emissions associated with your household energy use and purchase corresponding carbon offsets, hence ‘cancelling out’ the emissions.
Riding your bike instead of driving can help reduce your carbon footprint. Image: MG
Energy companies buy these carbon offsets from climate action projects all around the world, such as planting trees in regional Australia, landfill management in Brazil, or swapping out light fittings in India.
When you opt for a 100% GreenPower electricity plan, your energy provider must buy the equivalent amount of electricity you use from renewable electricity generators (like wind and solar farms) — directly supporting the sector.
This makes it the fastest and easiest way you can help grow the renewables industry in Australia.
What will make the biggest environmental impact?
Despite the complexities of renewable energy sources, opting for a GreenPower electricity plan is the easiest and fastest way for people who can’t install a rooftop solar array to help Australia transition away from fossil fuels. It’s the best thing many people can do to take climate action.
Talk to your electricity provider about making the switch or find a better deal by using the Energy Made Easy website.
The Green Electricity Guide is another great tool. It ranks electricity providers based on criteria such as transparency of marketing, renewable electricity generation, and environmental harm.
So, while sustainability can sometimes be a confusing term with numerous connotations and ways to make an impact, it really can be as simple as going green with your electricity plan that will see the biggest results.