Agenda

• “Greening” dangerous products to make it seem safe (eg, “eco-friendly” cigarettes). Using jargon or information that only a scientist could check or understand.

• Providing no proof of a claim

• Presenting totally fabricated claims or data as fact

• Emphasizing one tiny green attribute when everything else is dirty (eg again, BP and their solar panels)

• Companies that aren’t transparent or open, and don’t admit to making mistakes

Besides watching out for this behavior from companies, there are also some online tools and search engines, such as Project Cece and Ethical Made Easy, which can help you to find sustainable brands, and avoid ones that simply pretend to be sustainable.

The sustainable landscape today is not like in Jay Westerveld’s time in the 80s – we have the means to research brands we invest our time and money in. We have immense power as consumers; we create the landscape that businesses operate in, so where our money goes, their focus goes. We need to make sure that this focus goes towards sustainability. Businesses cannot get away with greenwashing anymore; as the climate crisis accelerates, we simply can’t waste any time in shifting to more eco-friendly practices.

Greenwashing In the News:

The SEC War on Greenwashing Has Begun - The regulator’s campaign against fund managers profiting from exaggerated ESG claims is off and running. - June 15, 2022

(https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-06-15/the-sec-s-war-against-greenwashing-and-esg-misuse-has-begun)

Deutsche Bank raided by authorities over ESG ‘greenwashing’ claims: ‘We’ve found

evidence that that could support allegations of prospectus fraud’ - May 31, 2022

(https://fortune.com/2022/05/31/deutsche-bank-dws-esg-greenwashing-raid-evidence-seized-whistleblower-fixler/)

Asset managers told to clean up greenwashing and net zero claims - Financial regulators clamp down on companies misleading investors by overstating the greenness of their funds

- June 29, 2022

(https://www.ft.com/content/f1367ab4-ac6f-486d-8bd2-e7659448055d)

RTSWS ESG CURRICULUM Session 2 Environmental

Welcome to RTSWS Session #2!

• Be sure you have a pen, pencil or writing utensil • Grab a snack • Get ready to share your name, grade and a hobby you enjoy outside of school

RTSWS COHORT NORMS

Let’s review our RTSWS cohort norms. These are the expectations for our RTSWS sessions that we set during session #1.

Norms: The behavioral expectations or rules of the class. Class norms inform us how we are expected to behave towards each other and towards the materials we use.

• Come prepared to be a part of RTSWS with your handbook, a writing utensil and a positive attitude.

• Be kind and encourage one another - we are all in this together!

• Ask questions, share your opinions and let the volunteers know when you do not understand something.