According to our research, 88% of Kiwis want businesses to do more about climate change. Thankfully, there are businesses making great efforts to lower their carbon footprint and produce sustainable products.
Learn how to spot a carbon-conscious company, while avoiding greenwash, and use the power of your dollar to support businesses taking action.
Signs of a carbon conscious company
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1
Labels and certification
Genuine certifications show a product, service or business is taking measurable steps to reduce or offset its carbon footprint. Look for them on things you buy or company websites.
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2
Visible action
Businesses that make efforts to reduce emissions want their customers to know about it – so if they’re taking action, it should be easy to find out. Look online for sustainability reports, certifications and carbon-reduction initiatives on company websites and social media. See if they use low-emission or electric vehicles, or have switched from a fossil-fuelled process heat system (like a coal boiler) to electricity or wood energy.
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3
Verifiable claims
It’s a great confidence boost if sustainability and carbon reduction claims check out elsewhere. Do a little extra research to see how the company’s reputation stacks up in the media and with other third-party commentators and watchdogs.
How to spot greenwash
"Greenwashing" is when businesses make their products look more environmentally friendly than they really are.
- Watch the words — 'Green', 'natural', 'biodegradable' and 'eco-friendly' don't mean much – look for official labels instead.
- Specific claims are better than vague ones — Go for 'Made from 100% recycled material' rather than 'all natural'.
- Beware of the packaging — Imagery like leaves or trees, green colours and cardboard packaging can imply the product is made sustainably.
Read more
Check out the businesses leading their industries
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The company that wants to be invisible
12 May 2021
From humble beginnings in his parents' garage, Tony Small has built Innocent Packaging into a successful plant-based packaging company - taking on the industry with innovative sustainability solutions, compostable packaging and paper products.
- Low carbon choices
- Innovation
- Working Gen Less
- Sustainable products
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Bicycle boom
3 March 2021
When Dan Mikkelsen discovered the only way to get cargo e-bikes into Aotearoa was to buy in bulk, Bicycle Junction was born, with a mission to make the Capital a city of cyclists.
- Low emission transport
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Crafty business
3 March 2021
Proof that reducing emissions from food waste can be delicious. Citizen takes some of the 29 million loaves of bread thrown out by Kiwis each year and uses them to brew beer – then takes the beer by-product and processes it into bread.
- Low carbon choices
- Innovation
- Working Gen Less
- Sustainable products