Sunday 19 February 2023

Increasing the Cost of a 'Greenwash'?

Commercial 'greenwashing' attempts to increase sales, by making unsubstantiated and/or misleading claims about the supposed environmental benefits of products. The eventual passing of the UK's Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer bill will attempt to outlaw this activity (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/feb/19/greenwashing-firms-face-steep-new-uk-fines-for-misleading-claims). When the bill is passed, 'greenwashers' should face increased scrutiny from the UK's Advertising Standards Authority. The fines for making unsubstantiated and/or misleading claims will be markedly increased. Companies could be fined up to 10% of their global turnover, costing some large firms tens of millions of pounds. Individuals will also be liable to a fine of up to £300,000. These changes are not before time! 'Greenwashing' not only dupes the customer, it endangers any meaningful action to limit climate change and to reduce other forms of environmental damage.

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