The renewable energy certificates (RECs) supporting The World Games 2022 represent two million kilowatt-hours of carbon-free energy produced at Alabama Power’s solar facility at the Anniston Army Depot, it is claimed.

"As The World Games begin in Birmingham this week, we are pleased to announce that renewable energy certificates are among the ways we are ensuring this event achieves its sustainability goals, while also supporting renewable resources right here in Alabama," said the event’s chief executive Nick Sellers.

The World Games is set to feature 3,600 competitors from 110 countries competing in 206 medal events across 30 sports that do not currently feature on the Olympic programme.

The event has been postponed by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced its cancellation last year.

RECs are a market-based instrument that certifies the bearer owns one megawatt-hour of electricity generated from a renewable energy resource. 

Once the power provider has fed the energy into the grid, the REC received can then be sold on the open market as an energy commodity.

The Rotaract Club of Birmingham and a donation from the Rotaract Club of Birmingham Foundation supported the purchase of the RECs.

"Protecting the environment is a focus area of the Rotaract Club of Birmingham Foundation and our members," Michael Stone, chair of the Rotaract Club of Birmingham Foundation, said.

"We are excited to partner with The World Games 2022 to fund sustainability efforts to help reduce the event’s carbon impact.

"We hope that through The World Games initiatives, visitors will leave Birmingham knowing that our community, and particularly our young professional members, are committed to supporting activities that promote environmental sustainability."

The initiative to reduce the event’s carbon impact is part of a broad sustainability plan for The World Games 2022.

Vulcan Materials Company is the official sustainability sponsor for the Games.

"As the sustainability sponsor of The World Games 2022, we are very excited to announce this creative partnership to support the games with renewable energy certificates from resources in our state," said Vulcan Materials Company’s senior vice-president and general counsel Denson Franklin III. 

"We believe that responsible, sustainable operations drive long-term, positive impact for our environment and our communities."