The global shift towards sustainability has made “green” a powerful marketing buzzword. As Australian consumers increasingly seek ethical choices, energy providers are eager to showcase their environmental credentials.
However, this surge in green claims has led to a worrying rise in greenwashing in energy Australia, where companies mislead consumers about their actual environmental impact. This practice is harmful, as it erodes trust, slows down genuine climate action, and misdirects consumer spending. Learning to distinguish between authentic sustainability efforts and deceptive marketing is essential for every conscious energy user.
Greenwashing is the act of presenting a company, product, or service as being more environmentally friendly than it truly is. In the energy sector, this often involves vague language, misleading certifications, or exaggerating minor environmental benefits while ignoring significant environmental harm elsewhere in the business. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is actively targeting this deceptive conduct under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL), which prohibits false and misleading representations.
A classic example of greenwashing in energy involves companies that continue significant investment in fossil fuel expansion but use marketing campaigns that disproportionately focus on a small, new renewable energy project or a token carbon offsetting scheme. This creates a misleading...
The global shift towards sustainability has made “green” a powerful marketing buzzword. As Australian consumers increasingly seek ethical choices, energy providers are eager to showcase their envi...