In 2023, the UN called for ‘eliminating the promotion of over-consumption’ to combat greenwashing in products, highlighting the need to ‘eliminate all messages that falsely promote sustainability’. This was one of the key points presented by the United Nations (UN) in the Sustainable Fashion Communication Playbook, a document that provides a shared vision, principles and guidelines on how to align consumer communication in the global fashion industry with sustainability objectives.
This guide was created to help companies and producers communicate their sustainability efforts and commitments in a direct and real way, at a time when consumers are increasingly concerned about the environmental and social impacts of the manufacturing industry.
For its part, the UN has listed several principles that companies should follow to avoid falling into false claims or half-truths about sustainability, including transparency and truthfulness, social responsibility and awareness, and collaboration for cultural change.
At VETtingGreen, we advocate for consumer education and awareness of the importance of these practices. Informing the public about the true sustainable actions of companies and promoting a culture of responsible consumption is crucial for combating greenwashing. Only through collaboration and transparency can we move towards a fairer and more sustainable future for all.
Beyond this problem, it is necessary to take into consideration that the production chain not only faces problems of misinformation on issues such as ecology and the environment, but also contains in its structure actions that violate human rights for many other reasons.
Many companies and industries with complex supply chains often experience disruptions in their production that may be penalised after investigation or outsource production to countries with lax labour regulations to avoid fines. Among the situations that individuals may face in relation to these problems are:
- Inadequate wages: they are paid well below a living wage, forcing them to work more hours or more than one job. For example, according to the Clean Clothes Campaign in 2023, many workers earn less than the living wage necessary to maintain a decent standard of living, perpetuating a cycle of poverty.
- Unsafe conditions: the lack of adequate safety measures leads to serious risks to their health and safety. As reported by The Guardian, packing companies workers highlighted severe health and safety issues, including high injury rates and insufficient breaks.
- Forced labour and Child labour: Child labour remains prevalent in some industries, with children working in conditions that are hazardous and harmful to their development. The Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) maintains a list of Good Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor that comprises 159 goods from 78 countries and areas, as of September 28, 2022.
- Negative impact on local communities: Production can displace communities, pollute water and soil, and destroy livelihoods. The World Health Organisation (WHO) report looks at how industrial production can negatively affect local communities through pollution and displacement: ‘Land use change, pollution, poor water quality, chemical and waste contamination, climate change and other causes of ecosystem degradation all contribute to biodiversity loss and can pose considerable threats to human health.’
- Misleading advertising and transparency: use of ‘eco’ labels and certifications that are not backed by actual sustainability practices.
This problem is therefore not just limited to misinformation but encompasses serious issues of human rights violations. These practices highlight the need for a profound change in the way companies operate and reinforce the idea of truthful communication in all practices, whether sustainable or not.
In our commitment as a voice for greenwashing, we emphasise the crucial importance of collaborating for change. Working as a human rights and international group not only enhances the transparency and credibility of the proposal, but also ensures our global contribution to fair labour, environmental and social practices.
Want to learn more about this and how you can change it? Here are some sources: