{"id":1142,"date":"2022-10-20T22:47:08","date_gmt":"2022-10-20T21:47:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theoneplanetlife.com\/?p=1142"},"modified":"2022-10-20T22:47:08","modified_gmt":"2022-10-20T21:47:08","slug":"seven-questions-to-detect-net-zero-greenwash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theoneplanetlife.com\/cy\/seven-questions-to-detect-net-zero-greenwash\/","title":{"rendered":"Seven questions to detect net zero greenwash"},"content":{"rendered":"

In this era of a fast closing window of opportunity to limit the worst excesses of future climate heating, net zero greenwashing by companies is blossoming. Here’s how to spot and avoid it.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Let’s try and stick to the science, shall we?. It’s all we got. So before the questions we need to know how much carbon dioxide-equivalent gases we can emit into the atmosphere and get away with it?<\/p>\n

The carbon clock is ticking<\/h2>\n
\"The

The carbon clock, showing the time left to limit global warming to 1.5\u00b0C on the side of a building in the South Korea.<\/p><\/div>\n

The MCC Carbon Clock<\/a> shows this, depending on whether you want to limit global warming to a maximum of 1.5\u00b0C or 2\u00b0C global average above pre-industrial levels, respectively. We are already at least 1.2\u00b0C above, so<\/strong> the former target is unlikely to be reached \u2013 we have just six years left<\/strong> to meet that.<\/p>\n

When I last looked the remaining carbon budget was just over 1000 billion tons, or giga-tons (Gt) to limit the temperature to 2\u00b0C, which sounds a lot until you realise annual emissions of CO2 \u2013 from burning fossil fuels, industrial processes and land-use change \u2013 are estimated to be 42.2 Gt per year, which gives us 23.8 years, or until 2045<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

That sounds a long way off, but will we be able to stand that much heating given how much chaos 1.2\u00b0C is already causing? Anyway, it’s not so far; we are halfway there if you start from the year 2000, not so long ago.<\/p>\n

Assumptions<\/h2>\n

This calculation depends on whether there are no hidden tipping points<\/strong>. For example we don’t know at what point the melting of the ice caps or tundra becomes irreversible and accelerates in a positive feedback loop.<\/p>\n

If a tipping point does kick in soon then this seemingly linear relationship between emissions and danger becomes unpredictable. After all we already know that the weather is chaotic in the scientific sense.<\/p>\n

It depends on a number of other things as well, including if we carry on\u00a0 burning fossil fuels at the same rate. If we burn more we have less time, but if we burned less, we would have more time.<\/p>\n

Similarly if we destroy more forests or plant more trees.<\/p>\n

Promises, promises<\/h2>\n

The website Climate Action Tracker<\/a> examines what countries have pledged to do compared to what they are actually doing and whether it matches what is required.<\/p>\n

It says the real-world action based on present policies would only limit global heating to 2.7\u00b0C<\/strong>, based on the above linear scale.<\/p>\n

\"Graphic

The best case optimistic scenario, based on total implementation of all announced targets would keep global heating to 1.8\u00b0C. NB: this table is one year old. Credit: Climate Action Tracker.<\/p><\/div>\n

Every day my inbox is bulging with emails from companies boasting about their net zero pledges, often made under pressure from consumers and legislation. This all sounds great until you look closer and find that many are too vague to be meaningful.<\/p>\n

So here is your guide to detecting greenwash<\/h2>\n

Simply ask of all claims the following 7 questions:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Is net zero clearly defined?<\/strong> (With a balance sheet covering all positive and negative emissions.)<\/li>\n
  2. Are targets near in time?<\/strong> (If targets are a long way off, like 2050, bodies are likely to think they can carry on as normal for now and kick the can down the road.)<\/li>\n
  3. Are they measuring progress?<\/strong> (Only frequent and regular monitoring can provide the necessary feedback loop to limit emissions.)<\/li>\n
  4. Are they independently monitored?<\/strong> (Marking your own homework does not inspire confidence. Is the assessor trustworthy?)<\/li>\n
  5. Is the activity of supply chains and customers included? (<\/strong>Companies can outsource emissions or supply inefficient goods and services and so cause pollution up or down the line.)<\/li>\n
  6. Are all activities covered?<\/strong> (Some areas may be monitored\/greened (and trumpeted loudly) while the others can carry on as normal.)<\/li>\n
  7. Do they rely on carbon offsetting?<\/strong> (Carbon offsetting is unreliable. It’s great to plant trees for many reasons, but they can burn down or die, at which point they emit all the carbon they have saved. To properly offset, new renewable energy investment must not have happened anyway.)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    If you\u2019re creating your own organisation’s net zero policy these are also essential questions.<\/p>\n

    If the answer is yes to the first six and no to the last one then it is a good policy.<\/p>\n

    Safon Un Blaned<\/h2>\n

    An organisation using The One Planet Standard can guarantee this.<\/p>\n

    That\u2019s because it is independently assessed, looks up and down the line, covers all bases, and is about continual improvement.<\/p>\n

    Assessors are trained to be friendly and forensic and to know what they are looking for.<\/p>\n

    We developed it precisely to avoid greenwashing. If you haven\u2019t downloaded into yet, what are you waiting for? It is free to do so, after all.<\/p>\n

    GET THE ONE PLANET STANDARD HERE<\/a><\/p>\n

    Mae Safon Un Blaned<\/a><\/strong> yn offeryn rydym wedi'i ddatblygu ar gyfer sefydliadau o unrhyw faint i'w helpu i reoli lleihau eu h\u00f4l troed ecolegol i 'un blaned'.<\/p>\n

    \"One<\/p>\n

    It\u2019s a helpful roadmap for organisational change that can be adopted by any type or size of organisation, whether public body, enterprise, corporate or community.<\/p>\n

    Mae Jane Davidson, pensaer Deddf Llesiant Cenedlaethau\u2019r Dyfodol (Cymru), yn cefnogi'r Safon, ac yn ei galw'n \u201cofferyn aruthrol i helpu pobl i fod yn hyderus wrth leihau eu hallyriadau<\/span>\"<\/strong>, a Sophie Howe, Comisiynydd Cenedlaethau'r Dyfodol Cymru, sy'n dweud:<\/p>\n

    \u201cMae'r Safon yn alinio ac yn adeiladu ar fy nghyngor cyfredol ym maes datgarboneiddio a gwella cadernid natur, a gall helpu nid yn unig y sector cyhoeddus ond pob sefydliad yng Nghymru gyda chamau gweithredu ymarferol i fodloni targedau allyriadau carbon a bioamrywiaeth.<\/em><\/p>\n

    \u201cMae'r Safon yn canolbwyntio ar y 5 dull o weithio ac yn hybu meddwl yn yr hirdymor; mae'n offeryn hawdd ei ddeall a defnyddiol a all helpu i fynd i'r afael \u00e2'r argyfyngau hinsawdd a natur, atal y drychineb sydd ar y gorwel a helpu i sicrhau lles cenedlaethau'r dyfodol a'r blaned.\"<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    Y gwahaniaethau allweddol rhwng y datrysiad hwn a mwyafrif y systemau eraill ar gyfer cyflawni cynaladwyedd yw:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. rhaid i'ch gweithredoedd fod yn fesuradwy<\/strong> a modd eu gwirio'n wrthrychol<\/li>\n
    2. ceir asesiad annibynnol, gydag offeryn ar-lein<\/li>\n
    3. bydd eich targedau'n cyfeirio'n uniongyrchol at weithredu o fewn terfynau'r blaned<\/strong>, a<\/li>\n
    4. gallwch gyfrif am eich holl<\/strong> effeithiau, yn gadarnhaol ac yn negyddol.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      \u2026otherwise it\u2019s like trying to bale out a sinking boat with a colander!<\/p>\n

      Mae'r Safon ar gael i'w lawrlwytho am ddim a gall ein partneriaid, Assessment Services Ltd, sydd wedi darparu offeryn hunanasesu ar-lein, ei hasesu'n annibynnol ac yn gyfrinachol.<\/p>\n

      Organisations can interpret the Standard\u2019s requirements in a way that\u2019s relevant to their activities.<\/p>\n

      Gallwn ni yn y Ganolfan Un Blaned eich cefnogi gyda deunyddiau hyfforddi, astudiaethau achos, datrysiadau a chyngor<\/a>. Mae gennym ni ac Assessment Services<\/a> 30 mlynedd o brofiad yn ein meysydd busnes.<\/p>\n

      Ynghyd ag asesu'n annibynnol, bydd Safon Un Blaned yn helpu sefydliadau i gyfrif am holl<\/em> effeithiau eu gweithgarwch, gan gynnwys effeithiau cymdeithasol.<\/p>\n

      O'i lawrlwytho<\/a> cewch ddwy ddogfen: y Safon ei hun a What It Means In Practice<\/em>:<\/p>\n

      \"One-Planet-Standard-cover\"<\/p>\n

      \"One-Planet-Standard-WIMIP-cover\"<\/h2>\n

      Costau a buddion<\/h2>\n

      Os byddwch yn mesur costau a buddion cymdeithasol ac ecolegol i ganfod gwerth cymdeithasol a gwerth naturiol, ynghyd \u00e2 gwerth ariannol, gallwch gynllunio'ch gweithgareddau i wneud eich hunain yn net positif yn gymdeithasol ac yn amgylcheddol! <\/span><\/p>\n

      Pam gwneud hynny?<\/strong> Rydym wedi arfer meddwl am gostau a buddion ariannol, gan ddymuno i'n mantolen cost-budd fod yn net positif.<\/p>\n

      Ond yn aml ni chaiff costau a buddion cymdeithasol ac amgylcheddol ein gweithgareddau eu cynnwys ar y fantolen hon. Dyma'n bennaf pam fod gennym argyfyngau hinsawdd a natur.<\/p>\n

      Mae'r Safon yn esbonio<\/strong><\/span> sut i gyfrif am bob effaith, da neu ddrwg, fel y gallwch fod yn 'net positif'. Bydd yr offer y gallwn eu cynnig yn helpu sefydliadau i gyflawni hyn.<\/p>\n

      Mae'r Safon yn cydblethu gyda'r Nodau Datblygu Cynaliadwy a'r Ddeddf Llesiant Cenedlaethau\u2019r Dyfodol (Cymru) gan gynnwys ei phum dull o weithio.<\/p>\n

      Mae'n cefnogi proses o wella parhaus.<\/p>\n

      Bydd sefydliadau'n gosod amserlen, gyda cherrig milltir<\/strong><\/span>, i gyflawni \u00f4l troed un blaned gan ddefnyddio offer mesur a gwirio.<\/p>\n

      Mae Safon Un Blaned<\/a><\/strong> yn offeryn rydym wedi'i ddatblygu ar gyfer sefydliadau o unrhyw faint i'w helpu i reoli lleihau eu h\u00f4l troed ecolegol i 'un blaned'.<\/p>\n

      \"One<\/p>\n

      It\u2019s a helpful roadmap for organisational change that can be adopted by any type or size of organisation, whether public body, enterprise, corporate or community.<\/p>\n

      Mae Jane Davidson, pensaer Deddf Llesiant Cenedlaethau\u2019r Dyfodol (Cymru), yn cefnogi'r Safon, ac yn ei galw'n \u201cofferyn aruthrol i helpu pobl i fod yn hyderus wrth leihau eu hallyriadau<\/span>\"<\/strong>, a Sophie Howe, Comisiynydd Cenedlaethau'r Dyfodol Cymru, sy'n dweud:<\/p>\n

      \u201cMae'r Safon yn alinio ac yn adeiladu ar fy nghyngor cyfredol ym maes datgarboneiddio a gwella cadernid natur, a gall helpu nid yn unig y sector cyhoeddus ond pob sefydliad yng Nghymru gyda chamau gweithredu ymarferol i fodloni targedau allyriadau carbon a bioamrywiaeth.<\/em><\/p>\n

      \u201cMae'r Safon yn canolbwyntio ar y 5 dull o weithio ac yn hybu meddwl yn yr hirdymor; mae'n offeryn hawdd ei ddeall a defnyddiol a all helpu i fynd i'r afael \u00e2'r argyfyngau hinsawdd a natur, atal y drychineb sydd ar y gorwel a helpu i sicrhau lles cenedlaethau'r dyfodol a'r blaned.\"<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

      Y gwahaniaethau allweddol rhwng y datrysiad hwn a mwyafrif y systemau eraill ar gyfer cyflawni cynaladwyedd yw:<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. rhaid i'ch gweithredoedd fod yn fesuradwy<\/strong> a modd eu gwirio'n wrthrychol<\/li>\n
      2. ceir asesiad annibynnol, gydag offeryn ar-lein<\/li>\n
      3. bydd eich targedau'n cyfeirio'n uniongyrchol at weithredu o fewn terfynau'r blaned<\/strong>, a<\/li>\n
      4. gallwch gyfrif am eich holl<\/strong> effeithiau, yn gadarnhaol ac yn negyddol.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        \u2026otherwise it\u2019s like trying to bale out a sinking boat with a colander!<\/p>\n

        Mae'r Safon ar gael i'w lawrlwytho am ddim a gall ein partneriaid, Assessment Services Ltd, sydd wedi darparu offeryn hunanasesu ar-lein, ei hasesu'n annibynnol ac yn gyfrinachol.<\/p>\n

        Organisations can interpret the Standard\u2019s requirements in a way that\u2019s relevant to their activities.<\/p>\n

        Gallwn ni yn y Ganolfan Un Blaned eich cefnogi gyda deunyddiau hyfforddi, astudiaethau achos, datrysiadau a chyngor<\/a>. Mae gennym ni ac Assessment Services<\/a> 30 mlynedd o brofiad yn ein meysydd busnes.<\/p>\n

        Ynghyd ag asesu'n annibynnol, bydd Safon Un Blaned yn helpu sefydliadau i gyfrif am holl<\/em> effeithiau eu gweithgarwch, gan gynnwys effeithiau cymdeithasol.<\/p>\n

        O'i lawrlwytho<\/a> cewch ddwy ddogfen: y Safon ei hun a What It Means In Practice<\/em>:<\/p>\n

        \"One-Planet-Standard-cover\"<\/p>\n

        \"One-Planet-Standard-WIMIP-cover\"<\/h2>\n

        Costau a buddion<\/h2>\n

        Os byddwch yn mesur costau a buddion cymdeithasol ac ecolegol i ganfod gwerth cymdeithasol a gwerth naturiol, ynghyd \u00e2 gwerth ariannol, gallwch gynllunio'ch gweithgareddau i wneud eich hunain yn net positif yn gymdeithasol ac yn amgylcheddol! <\/span><\/p>\n

        Pam gwneud hynny?<\/strong> Rydym wedi arfer meddwl am gostau a buddion ariannol, gan ddymuno i'n mantolen cost-budd fod yn net positif.<\/p>\n

        Ond yn aml ni chaiff costau a buddion cymdeithasol ac amgylcheddol ein gweithgareddau eu cynnwys ar y fantolen hon. Dyma'n bennaf pam fod gennym argyfyngau hinsawdd a natur.<\/p>\n

        Mae'r Safon yn esbonio<\/strong><\/span> sut i gyfrif am bob effaith, da neu ddrwg, fel y gallwch fod yn 'net positif'. Bydd yr offer y gallwn eu cynnig yn helpu sefydliadau i gyflawni hyn.<\/p>\n

        Mae'r Safon yn cydblethu gyda'r Nodau Datblygu Cynaliadwy a'r Ddeddf Llesiant Cenedlaethau\u2019r Dyfodol (Cymru) gan gynnwys ei phum dull o weithio.<\/p>\n

        Mae'n cefnogi proses o wella parhaus.<\/p>\n

        Bydd sefydliadau'n gosod amserlen, gyda cherrig milltir<\/strong><\/span>, i gyflawni \u00f4l troed un blaned gan ddefnyddio offer mesur a gwirio.<\/p>\n

        GET THE ONE PLANET STANDARD HERE<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        In this era of a fast closing window of opportunity to limit the worst excesses of future climate heating, net zero greenwashing by companies is blossoming. Here’s how to spot and avoid it. Let’s try and stick to the science,… Continue Reading →<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false},"categories":[55,46,54,51],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8HWPV-iq","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":134,"url":"https:\/\/theoneplanetlife.com\/cy\/what-is-one-planet-development-in-wales\/","url_meta":{"origin":1142,"position":0},"title":"What is One Planet Development in Wales?","date":"12\/16\/2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Above: the One Planet Council 2015 annual gathering The Welsh Government has a unique policy to support One Planet Development. Here is how it works: Through Technical Advice Note 6 (TAN 6) and Planning Policy Wales (PPW) it sets out land use planning policies to support sustainable communities, at present\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Legislation"","img":{"alt_text":"One Planet Council 2015 annual gathering","src":"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/theoneplanetlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/OPC-2015-gathering.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":635,"url":"https:\/\/theoneplanetlife.com\/cy\/what-do-the-covid-19-pandemic-and-climate-emergency-have-in-common\/","url_meta":{"origin":1142,"position":1},"title":"What do the Covid-19 pandemic and climate emergency have in common?","date":"03\/29\/2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Caption: They stayed at home. Apologies to L.S. Lowry's painting 'The Rush'. With factories shut, the air is cleaner. 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Then, we hadn't even crossed the limit (in 1972) of what the planet can provide for us \u2013 known as\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "climate emergency"","img":{"alt_text":"Earth overshoot explained and equation of the ecologica footprint calculation","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theoneplanetlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Ecological-footprint-defined.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":536,"url":"https:\/\/theoneplanetlife.com\/cy\/producing-more-of-what-we-consume-locally-helps-us-come-clean-about-carbon-emissions\/","url_meta":{"origin":1142,"position":3},"title":"Producing more of what we consume locally helps us come clean about carbon emissions","date":"12\/12\/2019","format":false,"excerpt":"We can't blame China for burgeoning carbon emissions. We can only tackle climate change if we address the fact that a great proportion of China's emissions \u2013 and other countries' \u2013 come from the fact that we import goods from them. 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