‘eco-friendly’, ‘made out of recycled material’, ‘sustainable’, ‘100% natural’, ‘vegan’, ‘organic’, ‘conscious’.

Every other product in the market claims that it is doing good to the environment or they are mindful towards it. Are they being truthful, or are these in fact bogus claims, intended to cheat customers into believing that their choices are climate conscious?

Greenwashing refers to the creation or propagation of an unfounded or misleading environmentalist image. We, the customers, must be empowered to know the difference between what is really eco-friendly and what is just plain greenwashing.

Today, environmental claims on a product are easy to make. They are vague, and may often be misleading. Moreover, who is keeping a check to ensure that they are not lying to their customers?

I have started this petition to request the government to introduce a specific regulatory framework to curb greenwashing by brands in India and ensure that any and all environmental claims are being substantiated with evidence. Sign this petition and join me.

I am an author, artist, & content creator. But above everything else, I am a passionate advocate for sustainable living. My actions each day must contribute positively to the environment I am living in. My latest book, ‘I’m A Climate Optimist’ explores this belief of mine. Despite strong intentions, I too find myself lost in the sea of choices and information.   

A fast fashion brand may claim that its most recent collection is more sustainable than others, tagging it ‘conscious collection’, while in reality it uses more water than usual. This form of green marketing makes it difficult for us to trust the smaller brands that are genuinely doing good! Shouldn’t they get a fair chance to thrive?

While greenwashing as a marketing technique can be called out under the ASCI guidelines, or the Consumer Protection Act as false or misleading claims, specific framework to address green marketing will help discourage the act.

I am requesting the government [Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change & Ministry of Consumer Affairs / Central Consumer Protection Authority] to issue a regulatory framework to actively discourage and curb deceptive and false green marketing. I believe that the framework must include:

- Due process of diligence for registered companies to follow if they wish to mark their products with environmental labels/ eco-labels like 'eco-friendly' or 'climate conscious'. 

- A mandate for companies to provide/update all relevant sources and evidence on a public forum to substantiate the eco-label used.

- Recognition of relevant authorities who will conduct verifications of said environmental claims.

We place immense faith in a brand when we buy their product. Honesty and transparency is the least we can expect in return. Sign this petition and share it ahead in your networks. #StopGreenwashingIndia