Questions and Answers

Climate Balance

Got a question about Climate balance? Chances are you’ll find the answer here.

What does offsetting (or balancing) my energy consumption mean, and how will it prevent climate change?

Every day we use fossil fuels that release CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. However, we can help offset , or balance the impact of the CO2 emissions associated with your energy usage.
Climate Balance helps offset the impact of CO2 emissions associated with the gas and electricity supplied to your home. For a small premium you help finance sustainable projects across the world, that help reduce the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere. For instance, promoting the use of efficient cooking stoves in Bangladesh to reduce the amount of fuel used and CO2 emissions.
By signing up to Climate Balance, you are helping to offset the CO2 emissions associated with the gas and electricity supplied to your home, which means overall you are helping to reduce the impact of CO2 emissions that cause climate change.
However, a word of warning, offsetting isn't an excuse to pollute. It's a way to take responsibility for pollution we can't avoid. We must all do our bit to reduce the amount of energy we use as much as we can, and then help offset the CO2 emissions from energy usage we can't avoid.

How much CO2 does an average household produce?

The vast majority of the electrical installation work is completed by EDF Energy employed electricians. However, in some instances we do use carefully selected electrical contractors.

What is an Energy Carbon Footprint?

Your Energy Carbon Footprint is the amount of CO2 emissions emitted every year from the energy produced for your use. Everything you do that needs fossil fuels will contribute towards your Carbon Footprint; how much gas and electricity you use, how you get to work and how many flights you take a year.
Climate Balance only aims to help balance the CO2 emissions associated with the gas and electricity supplied to your home, however, there are schemes where you can help offset, or balance your travel.

How is the Climate Balance Premium calculated?

The Climate Balance tariff unit rate is slightly higher than our standard tariffs. The difference is based on the amount we feel that will need to be invested per kWh of energy consumed in sustainable schemes.
Initially, the additional amount payable compared with our standard tariffs will be as follows.


Electricity = 0.42p/kWh (incl VAT)
Gas = 0.147p/kWh (incl VAT)

However, we will be monitoring this and reviewing it annually in line with changes to our generation mix.

How do I know that my money is going to be invested wisely?

The contributions you make to us will be given to our approved CO2 offset partners. Both put climate change at the heart of their strategy and only work on projects that can help deliver sustainable differences to the environment. Here are some examples of projects your money will be invested in:

Energy efficiency - which reduces the amount of fuel needed. For instance, promoting the use of efficient cooking stoves in Bangladesh to reduce the amount of fuel used and CO2 emissions.

Reforestation projects - for example, projects are undertaken to restore rainforests in south-western Uganda which will work with the local communities to provide employment as well as a sustainable timber resource

Trees will be planted throughout the UK to offset CO2 emissions which will also increase woodland areas for wildlife and offer recreation facilities.

Is it true that trees produce Carbon Dioxide as well as absorb it?

All plants produce CO2 during respiration, however this is largely utilised during photosynthesis. Fortunately trees absorb more CO2 than they emit, hence their suitability for the purpose of climate balancing.

What happens when the trees die? Do they release all the greenhouse gases they absorb during their lifetime?

Reforestation projects that are invested in are well-managed for a minimum of 99 years. Although individual trees may die, they will not release all the greenhouses gases they absorb during their lifetime, as these will have been utilised in photosynthesis. Investment is also made within other woodland areas to ensure that the carbon dioxide emission requirements are maintained.

Will I have to start using renewable forms of energy?

When you sign up to Climate Balance, you can carry on using exactly the same energy sources as before. You are simply balancing the effects that the fossil fuels used to produce your energy are having on the environment.
Even though offsetting your CO2 emissions can make your lifestyle more environmentally friendly, of course the most effective way to help prevent climate change is to reduce your CO2 emissions as much as possible by using less energy.

What is EDF Energy doing to help prevent Climate Change?

At EDF Energy we take our responsibility to the environment very seriously. As well as introducing our Climate Balance tariff, we pioneer deep water turbines, invest in wind technology and educate children on the possibilities of renewable energy. We also invest in Energy Saving Programmes to help our customers reduce their energy consumption.

What other green products does EDF Energy offer?

Green Tariff - This renewable energy backed product matches the customer's energy consumption with purchases from renewable sources. There is a product premium of 0.42p/kWh (incl VAT) which is matched by EDF Energy and paid into the Green Energy Fund, providing project funding for community and educational renewable installation projects.

Why don’t I just choose to join the Green Tariff?

Green Tariff is available for customers but only relates to renewable sources for electricity, there is currently no EDF Energy Green gas tariff available other than Climate Balance.
By taking either Green Tariff or Climate Balance you are reducing the amount of CO2 emissions that are emitted into the atmosphere and therefore reducing the effects of climate change.