EP11 - What is Greenwashing?

Greenwashing and green marketing, oh my! Companies make environmental and sustainability claims often, but are they always telling the truth? Maggie dives into the definition of greenwashing, why it matters, and how to spot the difference between green marketing (which is actually a good thing).

Resources for Certifications:

B-Corp: Businesses that display high standards of social and environmental behavior. https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/

Rainforest Alliance:Agriculture products including herbs, spices, forestry products like packaging, and the tourism business. https://www.rainforest-alliance.org/

Fairtrade Certified: https://www.fairtradecertified.org/

Leaping Bunny: Cruelty-free products, appropriate for personal care, cosmetics and household products.

OEDO-TEX: Products in the textile industry that are made entirely without harmful substances. https://www.oeko-tex.com/en/our-standards/oeko-tex-standard-100

Sources:

https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/fear-of-greenwashing-is-forcing-brands-into-greenhushing/#

https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/11/1130317

https://earth.org/what-is-greenwashing/

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/g/greenwashing.asp

https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2016/aug/20/greenwashing-environmentalism-lies-companies

https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/high-level_expert_group_n7b.pdf?_gl=1*10s8wxj*_ga*MTY0NzIwNTI4OS4xNjc2ODM5Mjk4*_ga_TK9BQL5X7Z*MTY3NjgzOTI5OC4xLjEuMTY3NjgzOTk2NC4wLjAuMA..

https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=all&q=%2Fm%2F01w1qb

https://www.imd.org/ibyimd/sustainability/13-sustainability-trends-driving-business-in-2023/

https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/sustainability/our-insights/accelerating-toward-net-zero-the-green-business-building-opportunity

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/g/green-marketing.asp