Search Results for: Greenwash

RepRisk data shows increase in greenwashing with one in three greenwashing public companies also linked to social washing

Stuart Mitchell

New research from RepRisk, the world’s largest ESG data science company, shows an increase of greenwashing risk, with one in four climate-related ESG risk incidents globally linked to greenwashing. Greenwashing and social washing are often linked, RepRisk’s data shows that nearly one in three public companies linked to greenwashing are also associated with social washing. “The expectation of competitive advantage derived from an image of sustainability has opened the door to green and social washing. A lack of accountability around a rapidly evolving landscape of corporate sustainability has helped keep…

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission adopts rule to strengthen fund integrity and market confidence, reduce greenwashing

Stuart Mitchell

Ceres applauds the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently on its adoption of a new rule that strengthens accuracy and reliability in the naming of investment funds. Specifically, the Investment Company Names rule requires investment firms to define the terms used in a fund’s name and disclose how that fund implements the strategy such terms imply.   Also known as the Names Rule, it expands the scope of funds subject to an existing regulation that requires a fund to invest at least 80% of its assets in investments that…

Consumer Focus on Sustainability Outstrips Marketers Current Skill Set with Half Still Fearful of ‘Greenwashing’

Stuart Mitchell

A new report published today by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), reveals that two in five (40%) marketers would like to attain a marketing qualification relating to sustainability, but don’t currently possess one. Despite this, the number of marketers participating in sustainability work continues to increase, with three-quarters (76%) of marketers saying they have engaged in this work in the last five years, with nearly half (45%) feeling pressure in their role to communicate their company or clients’ sustainability credentials.  The report explores the views of both marketers and…

‘Greenwashing’ crackdown call as just one in 40 UK companies fully adopts ‘gold standard’ net zero targets

Stuart Mitchell

Only one in 40 large UK companies have so far fully adopted the most challenging ‘gold standard’ targets for setting a course to net zero, a report by the IPPR think tank reveals, putting at risk ambitions for the UK to become a global centre for green finance.  One in 20 have signed up in principle for the new ‘science-based targets initiative’ (SBTi) aimed at measuring companies’ progress, but have not actually set their targets, the report says. A further 151 small or medium enterprises (SMEs) have signed up and…

OVO calls for end to industry greenwashing

Stuart Mitchell

The CEO of OVO has outlined a new plan to get the UK’s net zero mission back on track, including the proposed reform of ‘100% renewable electricity’ tariffs. At an event backed by Friends of the Earth, Cornwall Insight, Ethical Consumer and Energy Saving Trust, the CEO of OVO, Raman Bhatia, stated that without significant change, the UK is on track to miss carbon targets, keeping customers reliant on fossil fuels and exposed to high costs each winter – but that a new way forward is possible.  The UK will…