Sunday, July 16, 2023

How greenwashing by Delta Airlines and it's lawsuit leads to regenerative business changes

Treehugger's newsletter which I look at briefly every day, had a good report about regenerative sustainable businesses. 

 "A consumer class action lawsuit filed Tuesday, May 30, 2023, claims Delta Air Lines inaccurately billed itself as the world's “first carbon-neutral airline” and should pay damages. The complaint in California federal court alleges the airline relied on carbon offsets that were largely bogus." Source: ABC News

 (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)

The Treehugger article is by Gagan Levy...

...the Founder & CEO of GURU, the leading integrated agency for conscious consumer marketing. He has worked with some of the world’s most impactful purpose-driven movements, brands, and organizations. As former Co-chair of American Sustainable Business Network, one of the country’s most prestigious socially responsible business communities—and creator of B Corp—Gagan leads the way to a next economy that is regenerative, just, and prosperous for all.

Greenwashing is "...making false or deceptive claims regarding the environmental benefits of products or services."

Here're some of Levy's conclusions:

Now, as we face environmental crises, it is imperative to move beyond labels and marketing strategies. We need to embrace a new era—that of "regenerative business." Sustainability, initially focusing mainly on environmental practices, has evolved. Sustainability 2.0 encompassed economic and social pillars, shifting from reactive to proactive, encompassing fair trade, community impact, and involving various departments within organizations.

The new horizon is regenerative business, where sustainability is woven into every fabric of an organization. Here, sustainability drives innovation. It’s not just about mitigating environmental impact; it's about rejuvenation, creating systems that restore and thrive. This concept heralds an integrated approach involving all stakeholders, especially the workforce, in realizing the organization's mission... Through transparent communication, genuine commitment, and collective effort, businesses can foster trust and actively contribute to environmental sustainability.

Delta’s greenwashing lawsuit should serve as a wake-up call for introspection and change. Companies need to realize that consumers today are not just looking at labels; they are scrutinizing actions. In this age of information, where data is at one’s fingertips, companies can no longer afford to hide behind deceptive marketing.

Let Delta’s lawsuit not be just a headline but a catalyst for transformation towards truly sustainable businesses that hone in on the idea of regenerative business models, reinventing green marketing practices for good."

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Since today's post was all about quotes, I won't add another one. I hope you get a chance to read the whole article, or maybe just look around to find businesses working in a transparent sustainable model. I'm pretty sure there are some...but I would love to know if you know of some. 


 

9 comments:

  1. I can't believe that Delta airlines are the only guilty party. Exactly where are all these trees being planted to offset their emissions? I never see them.

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    1. You said it! There are so many "greenwashing" companies.

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  2. ...too many businesses just play games.

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    1. Unfortunately trust was lost a lot during the last administration in DC...and people were bandying about terminolgy which had nothing but the hot air of their voices behind it.

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  3. I think many business are making false claims. Take care, have a wonderful week!

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    1. Good point...we're in agreement about this. Wonder how we can call them out.

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  4. Wow! I get very irritated by greenwashing. I see it all over the place and sometimes I call it out on Amazon. I reviewed an item of clothing yesterday, falsely listed as cotton when the label clearly said polyester. It was imported and this is a common mistake because apparently marketers in some countries don’t bother to check the definition of cotton. They also advertise the product as carbon neutral, but I don’t have a way to check that claim other than stating that polyester is not biodegradable, and pollutes the ocean with microplastic fibers when laundered.

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    1. Excellent point about how marketers throw about the terms without any clue what they really represent!

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There is today, more than ever, the need for a compassionate regenerative world civilization.