The Climate Council has called on the federal government to ban corporate greenwashing, saying some of Australia’s biggest polluters are “gaslighting” the public over their carbon reduction plans.
In a submission to the Senate inquiry the Climate Council highlights the climate claims of 10 fossil fuel companies whose collective emissions are equivalent to those of 2.8 million Australians.
The submission notes that all of the companies, including Chevron, Woodside, AngloAmerican and Santos, have committed to net zero by 2050 or sooner, while also pursuing development of new or expanded fossil fuel projects.
The IEA states that no new coal or gas projects can proceed if warming is to be limited to below 2°C.
“Let’s be real – these big polluters are gaslighting Australians,” said Climate Councils’ Head of Advocacy Dr Jennifer Rayner.
“We are living through the climate crisis right now, with megafires, record floods, heatwaves and crippling droughts. The only way forward is to drastically cut emissions this decade.
“Fossil fuel corporations who claim to be pursuing net zero targets are doing the absolute opposite: rapidly expanding new fossil fuel projects like the Scarborough, Browse and Beetaloo carbon bombs that will spew out harmful greenhouse gasses for decades to come.
“Simply put, it’s greenwashing.”
The Climate Council’s submission calls on Parliament to implement a series of measures, including banning the use of deceptive ‘carbon neutral’ claims made by any company involved in fossil fuels.
A requirement for net zero claims be substantiated by actual emissions cuts – rather than reliance on offsets – is also called for, alongside measures to ensure corporations prioritise the absolute reduction of total life cycle emissions.
“Well-funded marketing spin deliberately distorts the facts, prevents real climate action, and funnels precious investment into dead ends – money that should power genuine green innovations,” said Rayner.
“Dodgy net zero claims by fossil fuel polluters are the billion tonne elephant in the room of this inquiry. It’s time our Parliament tackles the fossil fuel industry’s sham environmental claims.
“Developing new and expanded fossil fuel projects is incompatible with a safe future. The science is clear that this has to stop to avoid escalating climate harm.”
In March, the Australian Senate referred an inquiry on greenwashing, due to report in December this year.
The inquiry, which has received 86 submissions so far, will range from product specific claims to company-wide claims like those that appear on websites or in corporate social responsibility statements, as well as the use of logos or symbols, including certification trademarks that suggest climate-friendly credentials.
The inquiry comes hot on the heels of an ACCC report that found that 57% of 247 Australian businesses reviewed last year may have been greenwashing.
“Our sweep indicates a significant proportion of businesses are making vague or unclear environmental claims,” ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said at the time. “This warrants further scrutiny.
“Consumers are now, more than ever, making purchasing decisions on environmental grounds.
“Unfortunately, it appears that rather than making legitimate changes to their practices and procedures, some businesses are relying on false or misleading claims. This conduct harms not only consumers, but also those businesses taking genuine steps to implement more sustainable practices.”
