---
title: Government's carbon-neutral certification scheme labelled ‘greenwashing’ by critics
description: The government’s carbon-neutral certification scheme Climate Active has come under fire from critics, who claim the body is engaging in “greenwashing”.
---
[](https://www.greenpeace.org.au)
[](https://blog.greenpeace.org.au/the-canopy)
The Canopy is a weekday morning email newsletter provided by the team at Greenpeace Australia Pacific.
# Government's carbon-neutral certification scheme labelled ‘greenwashing’ by critics
Friday, 10 March 2023
The government’s carbon-neutral certification scheme Climate Active has come under fire from critics, who claim the body is engaging in “greenwashing” - providing environmentally friendly cover for polluting industries to carry on with business as usual, while giving the impression they're taking meaningful action on climate change.
The Albanese government has agreed to the Greens’ demands to ban the national reconstruction fund (NRF) from direct investment in coal, gas and native logging projects.
And new research suggests the frequency of “climate hazards” - such as increasing temperatures from global warming - will likely lead to “ongoing system shocks” to coffee production and a “systemic risk” to the global coffee trade.
**Top stories:**
['What's the purpose of certification?': Carbon neutral claims come under fire](https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2023-03-10/carbon-neutral-emissions-climate-active-greenwashing-companies/101991904)
Climate Active is a government-backed carbon-neutral certification scheme which claims to offer one of the world's "most rigorous" certification systems. But critics say it's engaging in "greenwashing".
[Labor meets Greens demand for ban on reconstruction fund investment in coal, gas and native logging](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/mar/09/labor-greens-deal-national-reconstruction-fund-ban-investment-coal-gas-native-logging)
The breakthrough on the NRF could help pave the way for a deal on the safeguards bill, with Greens leader Adam Bandt suggesting parliament had accepted fossil fuels must be treated differently, a principle which could also be applied through a limit on their use of carbon credits.
[Rising temperatures in tropics to lead to lower coffee yields and higher prices, study suggests](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/mar/09/rising-temperatures-in-tropics-to-lead-to-lower-coffee-yields-and-higher-prices-study-suggests)
Climate conditions that reduce coffee yield have become more frequent over the past four decades, with rising temperatures from global heating likely to lead to “ongoing systemic shocks” to coffee production globally, new research suggests.
[Rise in ocean plastic pollution 'unprecedented' since 2005](https://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/rise-in-ocean-plastic-pollution-unprecedented-since-2005/news-story/99aab040bc5b56cf2f9a46d75bf76de6?btr=70114a69f6444547fb311fb1e73462af)Plastic pollution in the world's oceans has reached "unprecedented levels" over the past 15 years, a new study has found, calling for a legally binding international treaty to stop the harmful waste.
[What is the safeguard mechanism and could it stop catastrophic climate change?](https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/what-is-the-safeguard-mechanism-and-could-it-stop-catastrophic-climate-change/30zo3d5wh)The Albanese government claims its proposed legislation will be instrumental in reaching 2030 climate targets, but critics have raised concerns about its implementation. The SBS unpacks the ins and outs of the Safeguard Mechanism.
[AGL Energy eyes exit from Australian Pipelines and Gas Association amid green shift](https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/business/agl-energy-eyes-exit-from-australian-pipelines-and-gas-association-amid-green-shift/news-story/fe4ec178a8eb9af37fc446f44dfb0d21?btr=af9a016da807b8c620162bf7174a2dac)AGL Energy is poised to quit its membership of a national peak gas body after launching a review on lobby groups, with the power giant seeking to fast-track a move to green electricity.
[Coal mines made to pay after years of free access to Sydney drinking water](https://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/coal-mines-made-to-pay-after-years-of-free-access-to-sydney-drinking-water-20230309-p5cqpa.html)
NSW coal mines will be required to pay for the water they remove from Sydney’s drinking basin after years of doing so at no cost or limit.
[Coal](https://blog.greenpeace.org.au/the-canopy/tag/coal), [energy policy](https://blog.greenpeace.org.au/the-canopy/tag/energy-policy), [AGL](https://blog.greenpeace.org.au/the-canopy/tag/agl), [climate change](https://blog.greenpeace.org.au/the-canopy/tag/climate-change), [plastic](https://blog.greenpeace.org.au/the-canopy/tag/plastic)
### Will you share with your friends?
[Share on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.greenpeace.org.au/the-canopy/governments-carbon-neutral-certification-scheme-labelled-greenwashing-by-critics%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_term%3Dsocial%2Bshare%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [Share on Whatsapp](whatsapp://send?text=Check%20out%20this%20thing%20from%20Greenpeace!%20https://blog.greenpeace.org.au/the-canopy/governments-carbon-neutral-certification-scheme-labelled-greenwashing-by-critics%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_term%3Dsocial%2Bshare%26utm_source%3Dwhatsapp) [Share on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https://blog.greenpeace.org.au/the-canopy/governments-carbon-neutral-certification-scheme-labelled-greenwashing-by-critics%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_term%3Dsocial%2Bshare%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https://blog.greenpeace.org.au/the-canopy/governments-carbon-neutral-certification-scheme-labelled-greenwashing-by-critics%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_term%3Dsocial%2Bshare%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=)
[Go to the website](https://www.greenpeace.org.au/)
## More news
### [Morrison government’s BECCS flex a hex on climate](https://blog.greenpeace.org.au/the-canopy/morrison-governments-beccs-flex-a-hex-on-climate)
The BECCS (bioenergy with carbon capture and storage) technique earmarked in the Morrison...
### [Experts “gobsmacked” by QLD government’s plans to ditch coal power](https://blog.greenpeace.org.au/the-canopy/experts-gobsmacked-by-qld-governments-plans-to-ditch-coal-power)
Topping off a truly stunning week in energy news after AGL announced all its coal-burning power...
### [Morrison Government’s last minute splurge on Reef puts polling above real climate action](https://blog.greenpeace.org.au/the-canopy/morrison-governments-last-minute-splurge-on-reef-puts-polling-above-real-climate-action)
The Morrison Government is pledging $1 billion for Great Barrier Reef conservation projects over...
Work like this is only made possible by our supporters. Greenpeace accepts NO government funding or corporate donations to remain impartial. To amplify meaningful climate activism in Australia, ***become a regular giver today.***
[Donate to Support Greenpeace](https://donate.greenpeace.org.au/)
[](https://www.greenpeace.org.au/)
Connect with us
**Call:** [1800 815 151](tel:1800815151)
Our team acknowledges that we meet and work on the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We wish to pay respect to their Elders — past, present and future — and acknowledge the important role all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to play within Australia, the environmental movement and the Greenpeace crew.
© Greenpeace 2026. [Privacy Policy.](https://www.greenpeace.org.au/privacy-policy/)