Environment Council establishes stance on the Green Claims Directive

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Euractiv or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: European environment ministers adopted their first formal position on the Green Claims Directive in Luxembourg on Monday, June 17
• However, environmental NGOs argue that the text has been weakened

🔭 The context: Companies are increasingly using sustainability labels and promoting environmental credentials to appeal to consumers
• An EU study found that many of these claims are either unsubstantiated or misleading
• The Green Claims Directive proposal, presented in March 2023, requires claims to be based on scientific evidence and independently verified.

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Accurate green claims are essential for ensuring that consumers are not misled and that true environmental progress is made
• Misleading claims can undermine trust in genuine sustainability efforts and slow down the transition to a greener economy

⏭️ What's next: The European Parliament needs to appoint new rapporteurs for the directive following recent elections
• The consistency and strength of the directive's enforcement will be key areas of focus for environmental NGOs

💬 One quote: Margaux Le Galllou of ECOS stated, "The directive must ensure that claims are linked to real and measurable reductions in emissions [...]
• Companies cannot be allowed to continue buying to absolve themselves of their emissions responsibilities."

📈 One stat: An EU study revealed that 40% of ecological claims made by companies were “completely unsubstantiated”, while 53% were “vague, misleading or unfounded.”

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