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https://theconversation.com/greenwashing-claims-on-trial-should-nz-ban-fossil-fuel-advertising-219615>
"According to independent watchdog Consumer NZ, New Zealand is “rife with
greenwashing”, with many companies positioning themselves as “sustainable”. No
doubt you’ll have seen such claims on the products in your weekly shopping
basket.
The practice is coming under increasing scrutiny, in New Zealand and around the
world, due to concerns that it denies meaningful consumer choice. Studies show
brands advertising their sustainability perform better, but consumers can’t be
expected to research every claim.
Overseas, legislative moves are being made to tackle greenwashing. The European
Parliament, for example, has just approved a directive that will ban baseless
marketing claims such as “environmentally friendly”.
The directive will also cover “claims that a product has a neutral, reduced or
positive impact on the environment because of emissions offsetting schemes”.
This will be particularly challenging for fossil fuel energy companies and
other large polluters as they attempt to claim carbon neutrality through offset
schemes.
Consumer NZ and others (including the Environmental Law Initiative where I also
work), are currently seeking a High Court declaration that Z Energy has
breached the
Fair Trading Act with its advertising, including the claim it is
“in the business of getting out of the petrol business”.
Z Energy has responded by saying its own transparency over emissions reporting
makes it a target. The company’s CEO has been reported as saying the threat of
legal action might mean big emitters “say less, do less and are less ambitious”
about their attempts to meet emissions targets.
It’s the first major case in New Zealand concerning alleged climate
greenwashing, and its outcome will be closely watched."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
