RECS Magazine - Purchasing low-carbon electricity

From a consumer’s point of view, when given the choice between fossil-fuel-based or renewable electricity the smart choice is the renewable option. Why? Because renewable electricity does not cause carbon emissions and fossil-fuel-based electricity does. No informed consumer wants to be responsible for carbon emissions, but is it that simple? Can I, as a consumer, influence the type of electricity other consumers purchase? How can I even be sure that the electricity I have purchased is low-carbon?