Step-by-step guide to getting Guarantees of Origin (GOs)

What are Guarantees of Origin (GOs)?

Guarantees of Origin (GOs) are certification to verify the type of energy that has been consumed by the certificate holder. They apply to renewable energy sources and aim to highlight the owner’s choice to consumer green energy. A Guarantees of Origin confirms that the energy listed in the certificate is from 100% renewable sources. From a legal perspective, Guarantees of Origin were introduced alongside the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) in 2009. We are now in the third iteration of the RED, dubbed RED III, which has laid out specific carbo emissions reductions targets that businesses must legally make as well as the deadlines they must be achieved.  

Who can apply for GOs? 

Not all power plants are eligible for Guarantees of Origin - producers must produce renewable energy, meaning fossil fuel plants are not eligible for Guarantees of Origin. Renewable energy producers of any size in Great Britain and Northern Ireland can apply for the scheme. Appropriate sources of renewable energy to be verified via Guarantees of Origin includes solar, wind, hydropower, biomass, landfill gas, Sewage Treatment Plan Gas, ocean energy and hydrothermal. The sale of Guarantees of Origin aren’t confined to power producers, however, aggregators, utilities, and corporate buyers can trade in the Guarantee of Origin. As consumers start to purchase energy with a focus on green credentials, utility companies are beginning to exploit this demand for clean energy, offering green tariffs which offer 100% renewable tariffs. Guarantees of Origin help to verify that the energy being provided is actually 100% renewable.  

Step-by-step: how to get Guarantees of Origin? 

Step 1:

Register with the national issuing body such as Ofgem, Statnett, CertiQ. You’ll need to complete a detailed overview of your business, for example, Ofgem requires a comprehensive account application form to be completed prior to an application being started.   

Step 2:

Provide proof of renewable energy generation: relevant declarations of where the energy has been produced will need to be supplied, including required documentation and the initial plan for metering setup. 

Step 3:

Verification and audit of energy production: compliance checks and certification will then take place at the power producer plant, with any consequent queries raised by the officiating body. Submission data will then need to be supplied regularly to the body, on a monthly, annually or unsubmitted month (between April and March) basis.  

Step 4:

GO issuance to registered account: timing (depending on submission data frequency) and digital certificate delivery will take place and any additional information provided on a periodic basis. New declarations will need to be made at the start of each new obligation year.  

How to trade or sell GOs?  

Overview of the GO marketplace and trading platforms 

Guarantees of Origin allow power producers and power procurers to participate in green energy markets. These markets trade carbon units in a similar way to currency and can fluctuate up or down depending on supply and demand volatility. Guarantees of Origin may be a crucial factor in the successful performance of the green energy market and in turn the green energy transition.  

Use of the AIB Hub for cross-border trade 

One of the key issues with Guarantees of Origin is that they don’t have consistent enough international verification, meaning that the majority of Guarantees of Origin can’t be transferred between different countries. Areas where the Guarantee of Origin market is more joined up includes the European Union: this allows certificates to be traded within countries inside the European Union, as long as they are accredited by Academy of International Business (AIB). 

How do GO transfers and cancellations work?

To trade or sell GOs, producers first receive issued certificates from an authorised body based on their renewable electricity generation. These certificates can then be:

• Transferred to another market participant (e.g. energy buyer, broker, or supplier)

• Cancelled (or retired) to prove renewable energy consumption for compliance or voluntary reporting purposes

The cancellation of a GO means that the certificate is taken out of circulation, typically to support Scope 2 reporting or sustainability disclosures under frameworks like the GHG Protocol, CDP, or RE100.

Trading platforms or registries typically provide interfaces where users can view available certificates, initiate transfers, or request cancellations. It’s crucial that buyers ensure GOs are verifiable, valid, and compliant with regional standards such as those set by the AIB.

Optimising how you trade or sell Guarantees of Origin can strengthen your energy procurement strategy, improve sustainability reporting, and enhance market credibility. For seamless trading, transparency, and verified pricing, consider using certified platforms that support real-time GO transactions.

Using Guarantees of Origin (GOs) for compliance and reporting

Guarantees of Origin (GOs) are powerful tools that help companies meet sustainability goals, demonstrate carbon transparency, and comply with Scope 2 emissions reporting. As corporate climate accountability becomes more urgent, GOs play a growing role in both regulatory reporting and voluntary sustainability disclosures.

The role of GOs in corporate sustainability and Scope 2 emissions reporting

As global carbon reduction targets tighten, corporate sustainability has become a strategic priority. Businesses are under increasing pressure to prove their environmental commitments, especially in relation to Scope 2 emissions, which cover indirect emissions from purchased electricity.

By purchasing and documenting renewable electricity through GOs, companies can accurately report their energy sourcing in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. This aligns with global standards and provides credibility to emissions reporting and net-zero strategies.

Supporting regulatory and voluntary disclosure with GOs

Guarantees of Origin certificates allow businesses to report energy consumption and emissions both voluntarily and as part of mandatory compliance frameworks. Using GOs helps organisations:

• Build transparent and measurable carbon footprints

• Demonstrate renewable energy usage

• Meet national and regional carbon reduction mandates

Because GOs provide certified proof of renewable electricity consumption, they offer a legal and verifiable method to back sustainability claims—strengthening trust with stakeholders, customers, and regulators.

Integration into ESG, CDP, and RE100 Initiatives

GOs are also increasingly used to support broader ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) commitments. Companies are choosing supply chain partners that reflect their own environmental values, and GOs help verify green energy procurement in line with those values.

For example:

• Businesses committed to reforestation or biodiversity may favour partnerships with companies using 100% renewable energy.

• GOs act as proof points in supply chain due diligence and ESG performance benchmarking.

Moreover, GOs support companies reporting to sustainability frameworks such as:

• CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project)

• RE100, a global initiative of over 250 major corporations—including Google, Apple, Microsoft, and Nike—committed to 100% renewable electricity by 2050.

Why are GOs essential for carbon reporting?

As the demand for clean energy accountability grows, using GOs for compliance and reporting helps businesses stay ahead of regulatory requirements, build trust in environmental claims, and contribute to the global energy transition.

Whether for voluntary ESG disclosure or mandatory emissions tracking, Guarantees of Origin provide the transparency, traceability, and credibility businesses need to lead in the era of sustainable energy.

Tips for a smooth GO application process 

To enable a smooth GO application process, it’s important that you employ best practices for accurate metering and timely submission. Keeping reporting bodies such as GEMA and Ofgem updated the lifecyle of a renewable project, alongside any Guarantees of Origin or Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). If you fail to provide them with the required data on a periodic basis, your Guarantees of Origin accreditation can be withdrawn. The negative impacts of this could be a loss of trust from suppliers, repetitional damage and a direct financial implication.

Using GOs effectively boosts transparency, strengthens ESG claims, and helps meet compliance targets in a rapidly evolving green energy market.