Corporate Greenwashing: A Troubling Reality

environment_friendly_madras_courier
Representational Image: 7MB
Companies are merely using buzz words–such as “environmental sustainability,” “diversity” and “inclusivity”–merely to gain market momentum & to grab customer goodwill.

Until recently, big corporates did not seem interested in dealing with issues of climate change. Much of their reluctance (and the seeming lack of interest) has been attributed largely to their myopic vision. The reason, many argued, was the focus on short-term profits while ignoring long-term realities. However, with the dangerous consequences of climate change becoming apparent, this situation seems to be changing rapidly.

Most businesses have moved away from a rejectionist view of climate change. However, while many are still limiting themselves to paying verbal obeisance to tackling issues of climate change, there are a few businesses, across different sectors, who are actively reframing and re-innovating themselves as “environment friendly” businesses. There is a phenomenal rise in the number of such businesses.

Such re-branding highlights the complex coincidence of functionality and ethics.

Across the world, businesses are increasingly under pressure from governments and civil society organisations to comply with environmental norms. At the recently concluded COP 26, India has made a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 1 billion tonnes by 2030, and to be net zero by 2070.

The promises made by prominent Indian firms to cut down on damaging emissions are a big part of this commitment. It has to be noted that these promises don’t exist in a vacuum. With the rise in the occurrence of environmental disasters, there is a strong chance that civil society will not take kindly to firms flouting environmental norms.



To continue reading, please subscribe to the Madras Courier.

Subscribe Now

Or Login


 

-30-

Copyright©Madras Courier, All Rights Reserved. You may share using our article tools. Please don't cut articles from madrascourier.com and redistribute by email, post to the web, mobile phone or social media.
Please send in your feed back and comments to [email protected]

0 replies on “Corporate Greenwashing: A Troubling Reality”