Unlocking the Power of the EACs Market

As the global push for sustainability accelerates, Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs) have become a vital tool for companies wanting to achieve their renewable energy goals.

In our recent webinar “The Secrets of the EAC Markets: How and When to Buy”, industry experts unpacked how EACs work, what makes a high-quality certificate, and why forward-thinking organizations are moving toward long-term procurement strategies.

Watch the full webinar recording to hear directly from our experts and discover how leading companies are navigating the evolving EAC landscape, or read on below to get the highlights.

What Are EACs and Why They Matter

An Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs) represents proof that one megawatt hour of renewable energy has been generated and supplied to the grid. For companies seeking to meet RE100 commitments, CDP disclosures, or internal sustainability goals, EACs provide a credible, cost-effective mechanism to match electricity consumption with renewable energy production, without the need for on-site generation.

EACs also play a crucial role in Scope 2 accounting under the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol, allowing organizations to credibly report renewable energy use and demonstrate leadership in climate action.

The Global Landscape: One Tool, Many Systems

EACs go by different names and operate under varying regional frameworks:

• Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) in North America
• Guarantees of Origin (GOs) across Europe
• International Renewable Energy Certificates (I-RECs) in emerging markets
• Tradable Instruments for Global Renewables (TIGRs) in parts of Asia and Latin America

Climate Impact Partners’ team, who helped establish EACS systems, including China, India, Brazil and more recently South Korea, understand the importance of disparate market nuances to build a credible, global renewable energy strategy.

What Defines a High-Quality EAC?

Quality is defined by adherence to robust standards such as RE100 criteria, which ensure:

• Generation within relevant market boundaries
• Use of newer renewable assets (typically under 15 years old)
• Transparent tracking and retirement within credible registries
• Alignment with impactful procurement models like long-term contracting

Third-party certifications such as Green-e® Energy, EKOenergy, and Peace RECs add an extra layer of assurance, linking renewable energy procurement with measurable environmental and social co-benefits.

How and When to Buy: Best Practices for Procurement

Our Head of EAC Sourcing, Alexander Bookless, outlined a four-step framework for designing a tailored EAC strategy:

1. Assess your consumption across markets and quantify demand
2. Define clear, achievable targets aligned with RE100 or SBTi pathways
3. Work with a trusted partner who can navigate market complexity and provide verified certificates
4. Develop a bespoke purchasing approach that considers market dynamics, timing, and risk appetite

Timing Matters

Like any market, EAC pricing is influenced by seasonality, compliance cycles, and supply-demand fluctuations. Understanding when to buy and locking in multi-year contracts when prices are favorable can provide both cost stability and supply security.

The Shift Toward Long-Term EAC Agreements

One of the standout trends from the webinar was the growing move away from ad hoc, one-off EAC purchases toward multi-year EACs contracts. This shift reflects a maturing approach to renewable energy procurement, driven by both strategic and operational benefits.

Why Long-Term EAC Agreements Are Gaining Momentum:

• Price certainty in increasingly volatile energy markets
• Reduced administrative overhead, streamlining annual procurement cycles
• Support for new renewable development, by offering price assurance to project developers
• Resilience against evolving reporting standards, such as RE100 and CDP updates

What We Learned from Webinar Participants:

To better understand how organizations are approaching EAC procurement, we posed a few questions during the session. The responses revealed a clear trend:

• 21% of attendees already have long-term EAC agreements in place or are actively exploring them, highlighting a growing commitment to securing supply and locking in favorable terms
• 71% of respondents identified price certainty as the most compelling reason to pursue long-term agreements, followed by supply security (34%) and stakeholder confidence (23%)

These insights reflect a broader movement among organizations to future-proof their renewable energy strategies and align procurement with long-term sustainability goals.

Overcoming Common Barriers

Many organizations face internal challenges when transitioning to long-term EAC strategies, from limited market experience to uncertainty about future energy needs.

Climate Impact Partners supports clients at every stage of the journey, helping them:

• Secure access to high-quality EACs across complex global portfolios
• Manage evolving volume forecasts
• Align procurement with corporate reporting frameworks and stakeholder expectations

With more than 600 clients across 60+ countries, Climate Impact Partners has proven expertise in designing renewable energy programs that balance credibility, cost efficiency, and impact.

EACs are more than a compliance mechanism, they’re a powerful lever for achieving credible, scalable renewable energy claims. By adopting best practices, adhering to recognized quality standards, and engaging in long-term agreements, companies can lead the way in accelerating the clean energy transition.

Ready to take your next step?

Download our guide to Energy Attribute Certificates – your comprehensive resource to building a renewable energy strategy that delivers quality, credibility, and impact.