T
Trade
Economic sustainability
Businesses applying to qualify their projects under the Earth Standard must be economically sustainable. The projects themselves must also improve the financial sustainability of businesses by either creating permanent jobs, increasing energy availability or reducing energy costs. This ensures that Earth-certified projects contribute to long-term economic resilience, supporting businesses and communities alike.
How we validate the “T” in Earth Standard
To qualify, your project must achieve at least one of the following.
Depending on which you choose in your declaration, we will verify your contribution through some simple documentation.
For Job Creation
✅ Provide feedback that your organisation has contributed to sustainable job creation by providing 3 years of completely anonymous employee data, including:
- Employment start and end dates
- Seniority
- Contract types
Why?
We assess whether the project has created permanent, meaningful employment, not just short-term contracting.
For Energy Availability
✅ Proof that your system increases electricity availability in the region, or provides power to areas with limited or no previous access:
- For grid-tied systems: data showing exported electricity
- For mini-grids: supply agreements or usage invoices
- For off-grid systems: signed declaration with list of locations and installation contracts
Why?
This shows how your project is strengthening energy infrastructure and advancing access to power (SDG 7).
For Energy Cost Reduction
✅ Show that your system reduced electricity costs for the end-user by:
- Proving that cost of grid electricity from leasing power to users is lower than the grid rate
- Proving that effective cost of energy from your own solar system is lower than the grid rate
- Providing contracts or financial statements quantifying cost savings from renewable energy
Why?
Projects that improve energy affordability help businesses grow and become more resilient (SDG 8).
Enabling Other Natural or Community Benefits
✅ Submit evidence of renewable energy supporting broader services:
- Freshwater generation (meter readings, locations served)
- Recycling or waste-to-energy programs
- Signed MOUs with NGOs or municipalities for joint initiatives
Why?
These services are vital for promoting sustainable community growth, even if they differ from traditional energy initiatives.
When Are You Expected to Submit Project Documentation
👔 Greenfield project (i.e. a standalone project of a small business, or the first project in a portfolio):
You only need to commit to your selected criterion to start. We'll request documentation one year after onboarding, or you can submit it during onboarding if you desire.
🏢 Well-established development portfolio or medium-to-large business:
Documentation must be submitted during onboarding. If you can't provide it, you must commit and submit within one year. Failure to comply results in project removal.