Greenwashing

 

Remember when BP meant ‘British Petroleum’?

Back in 1997, BP engaged an advertising company to launch a $200m re-branding of the company. A new image showing a warm and fuzzy sunburst was devised and now we have ‘Beyond Petroleum’. 

BP still gains its profits from a fossil fuel. In 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico spewed more than 700 million litres of crude oil into the sea for 87 days. The BP CEO at the time suggested the amount of oil was “relatively tiny in a very big ocean”. It was one of the world’s worst ever environmental disasters.

The re-branding of BP is known as greenwashing - the practice of making brands appear more environmentally sustainable than they really are.

BP of course is not alone in trying to greenwash their image. McDonald’s paper straws LINK, IKEA’s illegal logging LINK, Volkswagen’s ‘dieselgate’ LINK, Nestlé’s plastic initiative LINK, are all examples of big corporations trying to convince consumers of their green credentials. And, there’s plenty more.

Superannuation funds is another area where greenwashing has been evident. Some super funds declare that their investments (of your money), are green or ethical. ASIC is currently investigating several misleading and misrepresenting claims by some superannuation companies LINK.

Greenwashing was very prolific at COP 26 in Glasgow LINK. Large companies, even governments, spent up big trying to convince delegates, and the world press, of their green climate change credentials.

Closer to home, it isn’t difficult to find examples of greenwashing at federal, state and local government levels. In this ever-shrinking world, it pays to read the fine print and even then, don’t believe everything you read without some deeper research.

(Please note: This blog post does not necessarily represent the views of all members of the Friends of Drouin’s Trees)