BASIC DOCUMENTATION
All Basic Documentation is required for all products unless noted otherwise.
I07-1 Site Net Positive Calculations
A description of how the Product Share of energy usage is calculated and renewable energy is used to provide 105% of energy needs if the Product Share path is taken, or a description of how the whole facility energy usage is calculated and renewable energy is used to provide 105% of the entire facility energy needs for the Whole Facility approach
Calculations clearly demonstrating how the manufacturer has met the requirements of having 105% of energy needs come from on-site renewable sources.
I07-2 Renewable Energy Certificates
In order to claim that the product is 100% powered by renewable energy at the final manufacturing facility, the manufacturer must demonstrate ownership of sufficient Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to cover the claim. The purchase of RECs themselves do not suffice to demonstrate the creation of additional renewable energy but must support any renewable energy claims.
This means either the manufacturer has retained the RECs associated with on-site renewable energy production, or if the RECs must be sold, has purchased new RECs. In cases where new RECs must be purchased, additional documentation is required. This should include the number of RECs purchased, the cost of purchase, and a demonstration that this purchase accounts for a minimum of 105% of the on-site energy usage in the performance year. The RECs purchased must meet all the following criteria:
- Green-E Certified
- Less than 5 years old
- Tied to production within the same regional grid as the final manufacturing facility or property owned and operated by the manufacturer achieving certification
- Physically identifiable: the location and attributes must be known, rather than be a generalized power purchase
- Specifically attributed or allocated to the project for a minimum of 15 years through a recognized ownership structure, such as a Power Purchase Agreement. All utilized RECs by the manufacturer should have a specific location searchable and visible on Google Earth / Maps or StreetView
Documentation should also indicate intention to continue the requisite purchase of RECs throughout the certification period to cover all 3 years of production.
I07-3 Life Cycle Net Positive Calculations
Calculations clearly demonstrating all of the following:
- The product’s baseline fossil-based cradle-to-gate energy Footprint per product, calculated impacts of any footprint reduction methods and the product’s reduced Footprint size
- The total fossil-based cradle-to-gate energy Footprint per year for all 3 years of certification (Year 1 = certification until 1st annual check-in) based on predicted sales
- All existing and planned individual Handprinting actions (e.g. installing an off-site photovoltaic panel array) including the actual or predicted date of implementation and the scale of the action. If the manufacturer is not offsetting the full 3 years of production by the time of certification, they should refer to the Clarification Net Positive Timeline
- The calculated impact of each individual action (e.g. the impact of installing an on-site PV array) and the calculated Handprint impact at scale (e.g. the total impact of a portfolio-wide transition to on-site renewables production)
- The size of the total Handprint created and planned, and its comparison to the 3-year predicted Footprint. The calculated value of the Handprint should exceed the Footprint for at least 3 months of production, and documentation should clearly indicate how the manufacturer will maintain Net Positivity each year over the full 3-year certification period.
Manufacturers who are scaling Handprints with product scales may submit to LPC.Support@living-future.org for approval to be certified after 3 months of Net Positive achievement, but must complete a more detailed plan and demonstrate company leadership’s understanding of the requirements and commitment to maintain Net Positivity.
I07-4 Energy Handprint Narrative
A narrative accompanying I07-3 calculations that clearly describes how the manufacturer has reduced the product’s energy Footprint, created an energy Handprint greater than the reduced Footprint to become measurably Net Positive, and how it will maintain Net Positivity through the 3-Year certification period. Each of the following must be provided:
- A brief narrative explaining the Handprinting actions, including collaborations with other groups or stakeholders to create the Handprint
- The quantifiable energy impacts of the Handprinting actions. Inclusion of non-quantifiable impacts is encouraged, but not required
- A spreadsheet documenting all input assumptions and the resulting Handprint impact calculations
- The final energy Footprint value and Handprint value
EXCEPTION DOCUMENTATION
Manufacturers that use Exceptions require additional documentation. The table below shows the documentation required for each Exception.
I07-a Additional Narrative
A narrative describing the facility’s need for the Exception, the approach to, and implementation of, the alternative solution, and compliance with Exception requirements.
I07-b Metering Documentation
Metering documentation or data showing compliance with Exception requirements.
I07-c Technical Documents
Legal, financial or contract documents showing compliance with Exception requirements.
I07-d Photographs
Photographs showing compliance with Exception requirements, including images of all components that will be changed from an existing state, or hidden by the completion of the performance period.
