Don’t get Greenwashed; Remain steadfast Greener.

United Nations have recently identified that it is ‘Greenwashing’ which is misleading the people in large to “believe that a company or other entity is doing more to protect the environment than it is”, while promoting false, distracting solutions to the climate crisis.

The UN has identified several tactics commonly used in greenwashing: making unsubstantiated net -zero claims, in which a company says it balances the amount of greenhouse gas emissions with the amount it removes from the atmosphere; highlighting minor improvements in which a product meets minimum regulatory requirements; and emphasising a single attribute while ignoring the products or company’s broader environmental impact.

Misleading branding, vague claims and unregulated labels on products make it difficult for consumers who are aiming to reduce their environmental footprint to conclude with an informed decision. But not all greenwashing by companies is intentional; rather than outright deception, greenwashing can be an outcome of poor management rather than a deliberate strategy. These companies may want to produce their products in ways more beneficial to the environment but may fall short internally.

Maverick News wishes to bring to its valued readers that, in the wake of supporting Green initiatives, inspite of the increasing squeezing of the inflation and rising prices in essential goods such as groceries, customers are still prioritising products that are sustainably produced and sourced. Even as consumers look to cheaper, generic options for essentials, they nevertheless cite a willingness to pay 9.7% more for sustainability. In the year ahead, companies must achieve a delicate balance between consumer affordability and environmental impact if they are to source and retain consumers. They will also need to bolster their digital engagement and service-delivery, particularly as more consumers purchase products directly through social media.

Buying sustainable products does not have to be an overwhelming endeavor. If something sounds too good to be true about being kinder to the planet, it probably is. When it comes to spotting green products, a lot needs to be ascertained with common sense.

Here are some crucial warnings needed to be adhered, in remaining free from being greenwashed:

Vague claims:

There are terms namely, eco-friendly, green or nontoxic without any explanation. Companies usually tag those terms onto a package without proof. With a lack of oversight, one can easily be deceived.

A newer term circulating is “regenerative”, which entities often use to mean extending beyond sustainability to actively restoring, renewing or improving components of the environment and resources. The term is used often frequently despite there are no widely accepted or legally defined legal framework in pertinence. Unlike organic labeling, which is required to undergo audits and meet legal standards, most claims, that foods regenerate soil, aren’t tied to such standards and don’t require third-party verification in the present geopolitical scenario.

Nature’s visuals: Visuals, such as windmills, green packaging or leafy visuals, suggestive of sustainability, mean nothing if they omit evidence of any environmental claims.

Unverified: No backup of a product’s claims or credible third-party certification means those assertions might not be true. Companies should really substantiate in what way their product actually is green. So that could be a trusted certification, like one in the United States – USDA (US Department of Agriculture) organic.

Homemade labels: Claims that defy logic: What about a carbon-neutral airline? Carbon-neutral means achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by balancing “those emissions so they are equal to, or less than, the emissions removed”, according to the United Nations. One has to ask himself, “Is this actually possible? Can an airline at this point in time really be carbon-neutral?”

Team Maverick