How the Voluntary Market Is Changing: Insights from REC Market Meeting 2025

We recently attended the REC Market Meeting in Amsterdam, one of the key events focused on renewable electricity markets. While the agenda covered everything from disclosure rules to regional developments, several recurring themes stood out, from rising expectations to the shifting role of buyers. Here are some of the key takeaways we’re bringing back with us.

The Market Is Being Shaped by Buyers

This year, much of the conversation focused on how end-users are driving change across the market. Traceability, impact, and clarity have become central to renewable energy sourcing. In response, market infrastructure is evolving. Suppliers, registries, and policymakers are now developing tools and refining definitions to meet these rising expectations.

The shift is clear: buyers are no longer passive participants. Their priorities are influencing how renewable energy is tracked, verified, and delivered.

Fragmentation Remains a Major Challenge

Despite growing interest in renewable electricity markets, fragmentation continues to complicate sourcing strategies. It is especially impacting companies operating across multiple regions.

Different registries, national rules, and disclosure frameworks create lack structure and are difficult to navigate. Even small policy changes can throw off a sourcing strategy. This complexity was a recurring theme throughout the conference, with many pointing to the need for better alignment and clearer cross-border mechanisms.

For corporates building global sustainability strategies, one of the few ways to stay ahead is to keep close track of how things are evolving.

Standardization Is on the Horizon

If fragmentation is the challenge, standardization is the hope. And it came up often in Amsterdam. Across panels and informal discussions, there was a clear desire for more aligned systems. But while the momentum is there, most of the frameworks are still evolving with most systems shaped by national priorities.

In the meantime, many participants stressed the importance of choosing partners who understand the regional nuances as one of the most effective ways to stay on track.

The Voluntary Market Is Expanding

Voluntary market is growing both in Europe and outside of it. As more countries introduce or refine their systems, new opportunities are opening up for renewable procurement.

Asia, in particular, is drawing increased attention. The region holds major potential, especially for companies with operations across multiple countries. But each market is moving at its own pace, with different rules, timelines, and tracking systems in place.

It remains one of the most complex regions to navigate. To help make sense of it, we’ve put together a regional guide for getting started with energy procurement in Asia.

The Market Is Getting More Collaborative

Beyond the technical discussions, one of the clearest shifts was in who is engaging. The crowd in Amsterdam wasn’t made up of only traditional energy players. More participants from tech, finance, and industrial sectors are now getting involved. Many are looking for long-term solutions rather than one-off transactions.

The push toward collaboration is becoming more visible. New partnerships, shared learning, and stronger support networks will likely shape the next phase of the voluntary market.

​​Looking Ahead

The key takeaway from Amsterdam was how much the space is shifting. Discussions are no longer limited to market mechanics. They’re increasingly focused on who is participating, how decisions are made, and what companies expect from the system. As the market continues to evolve, clarity and collaboration will be just as important as certificates themselves.