National Guidelines A Welcome Ally In The Fight Against Business Greenwash

Monday, 30 June 2008 20:29

The guidelines will focus on accrediting marketing claims made by business, that promote an environmentally friendly image by using labels such as carbon neutrality and carbon emissions trading.

“Nowadays, there is much benefit in businesses being labelled green, but unfortunately, this has resulted in unsubstantiated claims and cases of greenwashing. These guidelines will help consumers be confident in their decisions and will aid business in making the right choices,” said Jeff Angel, Director of Total Environment Centre.

“Currently, TEC is helping to educate both business and their consumers about false and misleading environmental claims through our business program Green Capital and the upcoming Carbon Offset Watch,” stated Mr. Angel.

Green Capital will be running events in August in both Sydney and Melbourne, aimed at educating marketing professionals on the perils of inappropriate claims, the importance of establishing loyalties of the ‘green’ consumers of today and providing strategies to avoid greenwashing.

Carbon Offset Watch, to be released in August, is a ranking of carbon offset products on the basis of their environmental quality to help consumers navigate through the number of products and claims that currently exist.    

“TEC has been fighting a battle against greenwash and pressuring the emerging industries to do the right thing. These guidelines could not have come at a better time,” said Mr. Angel.