header-logo header-logo

Don’t spin the greenwash

17 September 2021 / Caroline Greenwell , Peter Carlyon
Issue: 7948 / Categories: Features , Environment
printer mail-detail
57437
Caroline Greenwell & Peter Carlyon consider the issue of companies exaggerating their green credentials
  • Looks at extent and impact of greenwashing by companies, reputational damage where they’re caught out and potential regulatory action.

Sustainability and environmentalism are featuring at the core of brands’ identities with increasing prevalence. With environmentally conscious consumers demanding greener products, brands have been under more pressure than ever to publicise their environmental credentials. This pressure looks set to increase with research by data analytics company Kantar in September 2020 ‘Who cares? Who does?’ suggesting sustainability has become a bigger concern for consumers since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

All talk no action?

Hand in hand with this consumer pressure, comes a temptation to exaggerate green credentials, to which some brands appear to be bowing. It is not new for bold, current and memorable marketing to be used to attract consumers to particular products and services but when the headlines include net-zero targets and claims of ‘plastic free’ and ‘recycled materials only’, to what

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
The Court of Protection has ruled in Macpherson v Sunderland City Council that capacity must be presumed unless clearly rebutted. In this week's NLJ, Sam Karim KC and Sophie Hurst of Kings Chambers dissect the judgment and set out practical guidance for advisers faced with issues relating to retrospective capacity and/or assessments without an examination
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
back-to-top-scroll