Green Hushing: Companies Are Choosing Not to Share Their Climate Goals to Avoid Scrutiny

“Green hushing” is becoming more and more common as companies are choosing not to publicize their climate goals to avoid scrutiny and allegations of greenwashing.

Source: Adela Alonso Alonso/YouTube

A new study found that a quarter of the 1,200 companies that were surveyed said they would not publicize their science-based net zero emissions targets. The 1,200 companies based in 12 countries said that despite their science-based targets and goals, they would choose not to share them because of greenwashing claims and to avoid scrutiny.

After the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow last year, companies began creating climate goals, but they said these pledges opened companies up to allegations that their targets were unsubstantiated or misleading.

Although consumers want to know that the companies they Support are working hard to be sustainable and keep the planet in mind, some companies are now finding it easier to work towards their climate goals without announcing them to the world. However, if companies continue to green hush, it will make it harder to keep up the momentum of fighting climate change.

There are so many companies that do greenwashing, so it’s not surprising that the public can be skeptical about companies’ climate goals. It’s hard to know if they are doing it to help the planet or just to increase their profit. As long as companies are transparent with their steps and progress, they can’t go wrong. There’s a sweet spot that companies can hit in terms of their sustainability communication with the public, they just have to try to find it!

Related Content:

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• How Companies Like Coca-Cola Are Greenwashing Over Plastic Packaging
• CMA Gearing Up to Expose Biggest Greenwashers in UK Fashion Industry for Faking Sustainability Claims
• McDonald’s Net Zero Location Accused of Greenwashing
• New Study Warns ‘Greenwashing’ is Widespread Among Online Retailers

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