Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) serves as the Secretariat and program administrator for the Green-e® programs and is responsible for the implementation of the Green-e® Renewable Energy Standard for Canada and the United States, the Green-e® Climate Standard and all future standards. Green-e® Energy and Green-e® Climate are governed by an independent board called "The Green-e® Governance Board" (Board).
I. Development of New Standards
The following procedures must be followed in the development of any new standard.
1. Advisory Group
To guide the development of new standards, CRS assembles an Advisory Group at the beginning of the standard setting procedure. This group must be composed of a variety of representatives in the fields related to the new standard, such as environmental advocates, policy experts, and standard setting organizations.
2. Terms of Reference
Before the standard setting process begins, CRS develops a Terms of Reference and posts it on the website. This includes the following:
- Needs Justification Study. CRS staff conducts a study of any current related standards in existence, evaluate their scope and effectiveness, and make an initial determination as to whether a new standard is essential.
- Scope of Work. The Scope of Work defines the objectives of the new standard, describe the end use of the standard, the type and scope, including the geographic and market scope, of the standard, and define the criteria and indicators. This includes an assessment of risks in implementing the standard, and an assessment of how broadly the final standard is intended to be applied.
Any interested party is allowed to comment on the Terms of Reference. The Terms of Reference is also discussed with the Advisory Group, and the Advisory Group makes the final determination as to whether to go forward with development of the new standard. The Terms of Reference is updated during the revision of the standard it applies to, which occurs every five years, or more frequently as necessary.
3. Stakeholders
At the beginning of a standard setting procedure, CRS forms a stakeholder list by reaching out to existing stakeholders and targeting new groups. Stakeholders include a wide variety of organizations and individuals. All interested parties are welcome to become a stakeholder and submit comments during open comment periods. New stakeholder lists will be formed through public outreach efforts including press releases, coverage in industry press, and outreach to current Green-e® and CRS stakeholders. CRS will add anyone who expresses interest to the stakeholder list for each program. Please see the Who page for the appropriate contact at each program.
4. Stakeholder Comment Periods
CRS and Green-e® strive for consensus-based decision making. CRS holds two 60-day public comment periods in the development of every new standard. Before each comment period begins, CRS staff notifies all identified stakeholders of the upcoming comment period, and provides a standard comment form. Additionally, the Green-e® and CRS websites are kept up to date with announcements of stakeholder comment periods and all other pertinent information. At the conclusion of the stakeholder comment period, CRS reviews all stakeholder comments and, in consultation with the Advisory Group as necessary, determines the revisions needed and updates the standard accordingly. All substantive comments received during the stakeholder consultation(s) are taken to the Green-e Governance Board.
5. Documentation
CRS posts a written synopsis of each material issue raised during stakeholder comment periods, and how the issue was addressed in draft revisions. All stakeholders and commenters are notified when the synopsis is publicly available. Individual comments are available by request only although information such as commenter name or other sensitive information may be withheld at the discretion of the Secretariat.
6. Approval by Independent Board
All final decisions on substantive issues lie with the Green-e® Governance Board.
Maintenance of Existing Standards
Review of Standards by Stakeholders
All certification programs' standards are reviewed every five years, or more frequently if necessary. CRS holds two 60-day public comment periods for the full review of existing standards. The second comment period can be reduced upon recommendation of the Governance Board to no fewer than 30 days.
For revisions of an existing standard or program details between five year reviews, CRS holds one 60-day public comment period, followed by additional 30-day comment periods as necessary. If a public comment period is ever shortened for any reason, the reason will be included in the public summary of the consultation process. No public comment period will be shorter than 30 days.
Commenting between Comment Periods
Any stakeholder or interested party can submit a comment on any standard or to request a clarification or change to the program at any time. These comments can be registered by sending an email to info [at] green-e.org, or by mailing, calling, or contacting the Secretariat or the Governance Board. For more information or to comment, send an email to info@green-e.org or call 415-561-2100.
Standard Review Work Program
A work program is maintained on this Green-e® website to notify stakeholders of upcoming comment periods and potential revisions to the standards. This includes information on any standards CRS is currently preparing, amending or revising and the standards that have been adopted in the preceding period. See "Standard Review Work Program: Recent Stakeholder Consultations" below for more information.
Stakeholder Participation
Stakeholder participation goals are developed before each stakeholder comment period. The overall goals are dependent on the scope of the comment period. CRS identifies stakeholder groups that will be affected by the potential changes resulting from the issues on the consultation agenda, and develops outreach plans prior to the start of the comment period to ensure that all affected stakeholders have access to the comment period materials and are aware of the upcoming potential revisions.
II. Maintenance of Standard Setting Procedures
The CRS Governance and Standard Setting Procedures will be reviewed every five years, or more frequently as necessary. All stakeholders and interested parties are able to submit comments on the Standard Setting Procedures at any time. For more information or to comment, send an email to info@green-e.org or call 415-561-2100.
1. Recordkeeping
Throughout the standard setting development and maintenance process, CRS keeps records of all documents pertaining to standard setting activities. These records are maintained for at least five years. These records include, but are not limited to:
- The terms of reference for the standard
- Governance Board meeting minutes and handouts
- Advisory Group meeting agendas and handouts
- All comments received on a standard
- A synopsis of how all comments were addressed
- All data and analysis contained in the standard
- A list of stakeholders directly contacted and other outreach strategies
- All draft and final versions of a standard
III. Complaint Procedures
Any stakeholder has the right to register a complaint against CRS and its standards. To register a complaint, send an email to info@green-e.org or call 415-561-2100.
IV. Standard Review Work Program
1. Ongoing and Recent Stakeholder Consultations
Start Date of Consultation |
End Date of Consultation |
Program |
Description |
Contact |
|
July 10, 2023 |
September 7, 2023 |
Green-e® Energy |
comments@green-e.org |
|
|
October 14, 2022 |
December 15, 2022 |
Green-e® Energy |
comments@green-e.org |
|
|
May 26, 2022 |
June 26, 2022 |
Green-e® Energy |
comments@green-e.org |
|
|
December 31, 2021 |
February 28, 2022 |
Green-e® Energy |
comments@green-e.org |
|
|
April 29, 2021 |
May 31, 2021 |
Green-e® Renewable Fuels |
Third Comment Period for the Green-e® Renewable Fuels Standard for Canada and the United States |
comments@green-e.org |
2. Review of Standards
All certification programs' standards are reviewed every five years, or more frequently if necessary. CRS holds two 60-day public comment periods for the full review of existing standards. The second comment period can be reduced upon recommendation of the Governance Board to no fewer than 30 days.
For revisions of an existing standard or program details between five-year reviews, CRS holds one 60-day public comment period, followed by additional 30-day comment periods as necessary. If a public comment period is ever shortened for any reason, the reason will be included in the public summary of the consultation process. No public comment period will be shorter than 30 days.
To comment on an existing Standard between an official stakeholder comment period, please send an email to info@green-e.org or call 415-561-2100.