Companies shopping for carbon-free or renewable energy options beware: not all credits and certificates are created equal. Read today's blog to find out why credits that come from zero-emissions sources don't offer the same environmental benefits as credits that produce renewable energy.

Organizations may install solar panels on facilities or enter power buying agreements with green energy generators, but these efforts require careful planning, and can often take months or years to accomplish. In the meantime, there are other options businesses can consider that can be implemented quickly with relative ease. Not only are such measures clearly net positive, but they can get the ball rolling and comprise an important part of a complete, renewable energy strategy.

Now, more than ever, organizations of all sizes are considering how to be more sustainable and keep up with customer preferences. However, sustainability as a broad, nebulous idea poses challenges to businesses that want to hone in, develop sustainable strategies and implement them. 

Environmental stewardship is not just good for the planet, it’s good for business. Fortune 100 and 500 companies’ sustainability goals in 2016 not only created 80,000 emissions-reducing projects but also yielded $37 billion in savings. Sustainable practices, including purchasing renewable energy, can fulfill both environmental and business objectives. The question is, how can you leverage renewables to meet your energy management goals?