Categorical claims about voluntary renewable energy actions are not supported by categorical evidence

Abstract Voluntary renewable energy procurement by retail electricity customers could play a critical role in achieving clean energy objectives. Research could optimize that role by providing accurate and nuanced information about how different voluntary actions most effectively drive renewable energy deployment. Recent literature has made categorical assertions that broad classes of voluntary actions are weakly or not impactful. This Perspective argues that these categorical assertions are not supported by equally categorical evidence. A closer examination shows the evidence is less conclusive and less generalizable than stakeholders may presume. Voluntary renewable energy buyers would benefit from more nuanced analysis of the impacts of different energy procurement actions across distinct contexts.