Greenpeace launched an attack this week on some of the world’s best known eco certification schemes, which it accuses of having “major failings” and “greenwashing products”.
Destruction: Certified, a new report from the global NGO, claims that that many certification schemes used for products such as palm oil and soya for animal feed are “effectively greenwashing destruction of ecosystems and violations of Indigenous and labour rights”.
Scorecard
The report evaluates nine certification schemes that aim to address global deforestation – particularly the protection of rainforests – and rates their performance with a scorecard system.
Greenpeace argues certification schemes in this area are failing to tackle the core issues they claim to address.
“After three decades of trying, certification has failed to prevent ecosystem destruction and rights abuses associated with key products such palm oil, soya and wood”
“After three decades of trying, certification has failed to prevent ecosystem destruction and rights abuses associated with key products such palm oil, soya and wood, Grant Rosoman, senior campaign advisor, Greenpeace International said.
“Due to certification’s limitations and weaknesses in implementation, it has a limited role to play in halting deforestation and protecting rights. It should certainly not be relied on to deliver change in these commodity sectors. Nor should it be used as proof of compliance with legislation.”
Shifting responsibility onto the consumer
Greenpeace argues that certification shits environmental responsibility onto the consumer. It says that governments must now “step up to protect our planet and its people from these unacceptable harms and set rules that guarantee that no product produced and sold comes from ecosystem destruction or human rights abuses.”
