At a fundamental level,
greenwash standards serve and protect--rather than challenge and transform--the business models of the industries that support them.
Understanding and preventing
Greenwash: A business guide.
For consumers, the best way to avoid getting "
greenwashed" is to be educated about who is truly green and who is just trying to look that way to make more money.
The British Petroleum oil spill offers a classic case of the potential downside for companies that place
greenwash ahead of transparent disclosure.
Greenwash messages, for example: "switch to e-billing because it's better for the environment", imply that consumers will be choosing a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly option than print and paper.
Friends of the Earth Europe also accuses the industry of attempting to "
greenwash" both policy-makers and EU citizens.
The Worst EU Lobbying and
Greenwash Awards 2007 were organized by Corporate Europe Observatory, Friends of the Earth Europe, LobbyControl and Spinwatch.
In Canada, IPM has been latched on to by lawn care businesses in an attempt to
greenwash their industry.
Surely this was just another act of
greenwash. What changed?
Seducing you with beauty: The simplest form of
greenwash is the environmental-image advertisement.
Clair, reflects our "determination to
greenwash Clinton."
Penhill then captured the featured Stayers' Hurdle for Willie Mullins, before victories for The Storyteller and Laurina took the visitors on the verge of a '
greenwash'.
According to a report by
Greenwash Action, a joint initiative of Sierra Club and Greenpeace, the GBI's "members and supporters" include groups that directly contradict the goals and practices of green building, such as the American Chemistry Council.
Even if carbon reporting is not mandatory for a company under the current legislation, reporting emissions data still offers advantages, in terms of avoiding "
greenwash," showing a commitment to the environment and complying with future legislation.