Consumer Commission confronts Greenwashing

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission watchdog will step up its probe of companies’ environmental claims after an initial sweep of 247 businesses found 57% made misleading statements ranging from overstating climate action to developing their own certification schemes.

Infrastructure Minister Catherine King vowed to push ahead with Labor’s fuel emission standard that would make non-EVs more expensive. Ms King indicated the government was well advanced in bringing in an emissions standard that could encourage manufacturers to boost the supply of electric vehicles.

The New South Wales Government has discreetly introduced a new law which could see drivers of petrol and diesel vehicles fined up to $2200 for parking in an electric-car charging bay. The practice leaves electric-car drivers unable to charge at dedicated locations, potentially forcing owners on flat batteries to wait for long periods until the charging bay is no longer blocked.

ACCC to address greenwashers
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission watchdog will step up its probe of companies’ environmental claims after an initial sweep found 57% made misleading statements ranging from overstating climate action to developing their own certification schemes. Businesses genuinely pursuing more sustainable goods and services often incur additional production or research costs. They face being unfairly disadvantaged if rivals can get away with making false or misleading claims, the ACCC said: “This undermines effective competition and can create a disincentive for businesses to invest in sustainability.”

Labour hints at fuel excise legislation
Infrastructure Minister Catherine King vowed to push ahead with Labor’s fuel emission standard that would make non-EVs more expensive. Ms King indicated the government was well advanced in bringing in an emissions standard that could encourage manufacturers to boost the supply of EVs. “We’re really in the stage where we’re actually trying to incentivise and encourage uptake, and that includes me looking at fuel efficiency standards as well,” Ms King said.

NSW introduces fines for petrol vehicles parked in EV charging stations
The New South Wales Government has discreetly introduced a new law which could see drivers of petrol and diesel vehicles fined up to $2200 for parking in an electric-car charging bay. Nicknamed ‘ICEing’ – referring to the internal-combustion engine (ICE) powering petrol and diesel vehicles – the practice leaves electric-car drivers unable to charge at dedicated locations, potentially forcing owners on flat batteries to wait for long periods until the charging bay is no longer blocked.

Traditional custodians ask government for rock art protection
Indigenous groups from the Burrup peninsula in Western Australia are asking the federal government to protect one of the oldest art galleries on the planet. Murujuga is the largest collection of Aboriginal rock art - also known as petroglyphs - in the world. Custodians of this sacred place are concerned that proposed new industrial developments in the region could damage or destroy the ancient artworks. Raelene Cooper, a Mardudhunera woman, travelled across the country this week in support of the Save our Songlines campaign. "These industries are dangerous for our culture, for our history and for our fight against climate change,” she said.

Whales dying at the hands of consumers
Whales are being driven out of their natural habitats due to climate change, ending up in the path of cargo ships carrying goods for online shoppers. Almost two dozen whales have washed up dead along the US east coast since December, according to The New York Times. Increases in online shopping have meant that cargo ships are more frequent in the shipping lanes.

Aussie winemakers are going green
The Margaret River wine region is an Australian leader in sustainable wine production, according to a new report from Sustainable Wine Australia. Sustainable winemaking considers environmental, social and economic aspects of wine production, including health and biodiversity of the vineyard, water usage, plastic usage and the overall carbon footprint of grape-growing, winemaking and the supply chain.