Consumer watchdog tells businesses to back up green claims like "carbon neutral"

A new guide says shoppers should be able to trust what labels say about emissions.

Confirmed

Australia's consumer watchdog wants businesses to prove their green claims. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has released a new guide for businesses. It covers claims about emissions, which are the gases, like carbon dioxide, that add to climate change. Think of labels that say a product is "carbon neutral" or "low emissions". "Consumers should be able to trust the emissions-related claims that businesses make," ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh said. He said businesses should check what they already say. "If any existing claims raise concerns, businesses should update their messaging, gather stronger evidence, or reconsider using it," he said. The ACCC said it has seen companies "move away from vague, widely advertised, carbon neutral claims". Vague claims can sound good without meaning much. Shoppers often choose, or pay more for, products that say they are kinder to the planet. So those claims need to be honest and clear. The guide is called "Making emissions claims to consumers – a guide for business". It is free on the ACCC website for anyone to read.