Post by account_disabled on Feb 20, 2024 8:12:52 GMT
With increasing regulations and growing public scrutiny over greenwash , which refers to the practice of making a company appear more environmentally friendly than it really is, winning the battle against greenwash has become an increasingly pressing concern in the business world. To further complicate the situation, companies are facing new forms of greenwash , such as greenhushing , that make decarbonization efforts seem impossible. Greenhushing is where companies hesitate or even refuse to disclose their decarbonization efforts for fear of criticism or retaliation, and this practice has become a significant issue hindering climate progress . So how can companies win this battle and demonstrate a real commitment to sustainability? Michelle Li, founder of Clever Carbon and Women and Climate, along with other panelists at the GreenBiz NetZero conference , a forum where companies and other stakeholders come together to discuss and promote more sustainable business practices, offer three key suggestions for how companies They can win the battle vs greenwash and its variants.
Companies can win the battle against greenwash 1. Dig deeper into the data One of the most notable recommendations to prevail in the fight against greenwash is to delve into the data. It is common for companies to make announcements of “net zero emissions” or “carbon neutrality” commitments in a vague way, leaving them open to criticism and doubts about the authenticity of their efforts. Instead of avoiding these commitments for fear of falling into practices like greenhushing or other variants, business leaders should back them up with solid, verifiable data. Shannon Siart, Senior ESG Advisor at NASDAQ, one of the world's leading stock exchanges, highlights the Chile Mobile Number List importance of having a robust database that includes Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions reporting, at a minimum, and an attempt to measure Scope 3 emissions. Without this database, any “net zero” strategy will lack credibility. Furthermore, it is suggested that companies reinforce this data by hiring third parties to carry out audits or verifications. This can be anything from a desktop review of the data to a more in-depth process that includes site visits.
Third-party verification adds credibility to reports and commitments. It is essential that these data and strategies are understood and adopted by the company's senior management. Buy-in and awareness from senior management are crucial to the success of any climate initiative. win the battle vs greenwash 2. Maintain simple language on sustainability Another important tip is to keep language simple and fact-based when communicating sustainability efforts. Instead of using subjective terms like “net zero emissions,” it is recommended that companies rely on real, tangible data when communicating their climate efforts. Avoiding subjective terminology allows for more effective and transparent communication. Instead of labels like “climate neutral,” companies are encouraged to fully explain the environmental impacts of their products and how they are addressing those impacts. For example, a clothing manufacturer might be tempted to put a label like “climate neutral” on a jacket, but that doesn't really convey much to the consumer. Instead, Li suggests, the manufacturer could thoroughly explain the product's environmental impacts and how they are being mitigated. Siart also emphasizes the importance of supporting climate goals with third-party decarbonization frameworks. This adds credibility to the strategy and demonstrates a genuine commitment to climate science. 3. Constant and transparent communication Finally, consistent, data-driven communication is critical for companies to be able to effectively communicate their climate goals and maintain credibility at a time when climate action is essential.
Companies can win the battle against greenwash 1. Dig deeper into the data One of the most notable recommendations to prevail in the fight against greenwash is to delve into the data. It is common for companies to make announcements of “net zero emissions” or “carbon neutrality” commitments in a vague way, leaving them open to criticism and doubts about the authenticity of their efforts. Instead of avoiding these commitments for fear of falling into practices like greenhushing or other variants, business leaders should back them up with solid, verifiable data. Shannon Siart, Senior ESG Advisor at NASDAQ, one of the world's leading stock exchanges, highlights the Chile Mobile Number List importance of having a robust database that includes Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions reporting, at a minimum, and an attempt to measure Scope 3 emissions. Without this database, any “net zero” strategy will lack credibility. Furthermore, it is suggested that companies reinforce this data by hiring third parties to carry out audits or verifications. This can be anything from a desktop review of the data to a more in-depth process that includes site visits.
Third-party verification adds credibility to reports and commitments. It is essential that these data and strategies are understood and adopted by the company's senior management. Buy-in and awareness from senior management are crucial to the success of any climate initiative. win the battle vs greenwash 2. Maintain simple language on sustainability Another important tip is to keep language simple and fact-based when communicating sustainability efforts. Instead of using subjective terms like “net zero emissions,” it is recommended that companies rely on real, tangible data when communicating their climate efforts. Avoiding subjective terminology allows for more effective and transparent communication. Instead of labels like “climate neutral,” companies are encouraged to fully explain the environmental impacts of their products and how they are addressing those impacts. For example, a clothing manufacturer might be tempted to put a label like “climate neutral” on a jacket, but that doesn't really convey much to the consumer. Instead, Li suggests, the manufacturer could thoroughly explain the product's environmental impacts and how they are being mitigated. Siart also emphasizes the importance of supporting climate goals with third-party decarbonization frameworks. This adds credibility to the strategy and demonstrates a genuine commitment to climate science. 3. Constant and transparent communication Finally, consistent, data-driven communication is critical for companies to be able to effectively communicate their climate goals and maintain credibility at a time when climate action is essential.