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The report argues that the plastics industry employs a 'corporate playbook' of delay, distraction, and derailment to protect its business model. It analyzes voluntary commitments from major polluters, finding them lacking in accountability and ambition. Through case studies in 15 countries, it demonstrates how companies lobby against mandatory collection systems like Deposit Return Systems (DRS) and promote 'false solutions' such as chemical recycling and bioplastics to shift responsibility onto consumers.

The document argues that the plastic industry uses a 'manual' of delay, distraction, and derailment tactics to protect profits and avoid mandatory regulations. It analyzes voluntary commitments from ten major polluters and over 50 collective initiatives, concluding that they lack transparency, accountability, and effectiveness. The report highlights how companies promote 'false solutions' like chemical recycling and bio-based plastics while lobbying against deposit return systems and mandatory collection targets. Case studies across 15 countries demonstrate a pattern of corporate hypocrisy, where companies may support legislation in the EU while fighting it in Africa, China, and the US.

The report argues that major plastic polluters use voluntary initiatives as a 'smoke screen' to delay, distract, and derail progressive legislation. It analyzes the commitments of the ten largest plastic polluters and over 50 joint initiatives, finding them lacking in ambition, transparency, and accountability. The document details industry tactics such as shifting blame to consumers and promoting chemical recycling, while calling for mandatory legislation, including 90% collection targets and deposit return systems.

The document proposes a framework for 'transition labels' to distinguish genuine low-carbon transition activities from 'greenwashing'. It establishes five core principles for transition pathways: alignment with a 1.5°C trajectory (net-zero by 2050, near-half emissions by 2030), science-based targets, exclusion of carbon offsets, prioritization of technical feasibility over economic competitiveness, and a requirement for concrete metrics over vague commitments. The framework categorizes economic activities into five types: near-zero emission, zero-carbon transition, non-transitionable, temporary transitional, and stranded. It further distinguishes between entity-level transitions (supported by equity, general bonds, and sustainability-linked loans/bonds) and activity-level transitions (supported by asset-backed securities and use-of-proceeds bonds).

The Climate Bonds Initiative presents a framework to categorise economic activities based on their role in a net-zero transition and establishes five principles to ensure transition labels are scientifically credible and ambitious. It distinguishes between 'green' and 'transition' labels based on the long-term viability of the activity in a low-carbon economy.

The Climate Bonds Initiative proposes a framework for 'transition' labels to prevent greenwashing and ensure investments align with the Paris Agreement. The framework establishes five core principles for ambitious transitions: alignment with a 1.5 degree trajectory (net zero by 2050), science-based goals, the exclusion of offsets, the prioritization of technological viability over economic competitiveness, and a requirement for operating metrics over pledges. It categorizes economic activities into five types—Near Zero, Pathway to Zero, No Pathway to Zero, Interim, and Stranded—to determine whether a 'green' or 'transition' label is appropriate. The framework is designed to be flexible, applying to both whole entities (via equity or sustainability-linked bonds) and specific activities (via use-of-proceeds bonds).

The guide advises consumers to look for brands with ambitious sustainability commitments and quantified claims to avoid greenwashing in the USD 3 trillion fashion industry. It highlights that while natural fibres like cotton can have high initial environmental impacts from water and pesticide use, they are biodegradable and recyclable, whereas blending natural and synthetic fibres eliminates these benefits. The text emphasizes the role of Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSSs) in mitigating the impacts of cotton production, noting that different standards have varying criteria regarding traceability and the use of genetically modified organisms.

ClientEarth argues that the FCA's proposals in CP20/3 are inadequate to protect consumers and ensure market integrity. The organization recommends making TCFD-aligned disclosures mandatory for all listed issuers by 2022, requiring a 'Paris-aligned' strategy for net zero by 2050, and clarifying materiality tests to align with investor expectations. It also calls for consistency with EU disclosure laws and stronger enforcement to close existing accountability gaps.

Reclaim Finance reports that the Paris financial centre has failed to meet its mid-2020 deadline for coal exit strategies, with only about ten French financial actors adopting sufficiently robust policies. The analysis specifically criticizes Société Générale for policies that exempt companies with coal exposure under 25%, arguing that such gaps prevent a genuine transition to zero coal.

Reclaim Finance argues that the Paris financial center has failed its commitment to implement effective coal exit strategies by mid-2020. While some institutions like AXA and Crédit Agricole/Amundi have adopted strong policies, many others, notably Société Générale, are criticized for insufficient policies that do not require companies to establish closure plans for coal infrastructure. The author warns against 'greenwashing' and the substitution of 'exit' policies with weaker 'exclusion' policies.

The document is an open letter signed by 410 organizational and individual entities calling for an end to the gas industry in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique. It alleges that multinational corporations and the Mozambican government are complicit in land grabbing, the displacement of thousands of people, and the fueling of extremist violence. The statement highlights the environmental impact on the Quirimbas Archipelago and the role of the gas industry in spreading COVID-19. It demands the release of disappeared journalists and activists, the transition to renewable energy, and the establishment of a legally binding international instrument for corporate accountability regarding human rights.

The Climate Bonds Standard Version 3.0 provides a science-based framework for certifying green debt instruments. It mandates pre- and post-issuance requirements, including the use of a Green Bond Framework, independent verification by Approved Verifiers, and annual reporting on allocation and eligibility. The standard is designed to be compatible with the proposed EU Green Bond Standard and uses a specific Taxonomy and Sector Eligibility Criteria to prevent 'greenwash' and facilitate large-scale climate-aligned investment.

The document examines the UK carpet waste stream, asserting that the voluntary industry body Carpet Recycling UK (CRUK) has engaged in greenwashing by relying on incineration and downcycling rather than carpet-to-carpet recycling. It highlights that while landfill diversion rose to 44% by 2018, the majority of this is achieved through incineration, which carries significant climate and health costs. The authors call for the UK government to implement mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to drive genuine circularity.

Following the 2019 European elections, Europe Écologie Les Verts (EELV) emerged as a significant independent force in France, securing 13.5% of the vote. The author argues that the party's success was driven by its refusal to merge into a united left-wing list and the influence of widespread climate protests. The text contrasts the Greens' approach with 'neo-populism'—seen in the Rassemblement National (RN) and La France Insoumise (LFI)—which the author claims is ill-suited for democratic self-organisation. The document concludes that a modern French left must be built around political ecology, integrating social justice with a responsibility toward nature and future generations.

The report argues that the fossil fuel industry, specifically citing Exxon, knew about the warming effects of CO2 as early as the 1950s but spent millions on disinformation to obscure this reality. It asserts that the industry adopted the 'tobacco industry’s playbook' to attack scientific consensus, use fake experts, and promote logical fallacies to confuse the public. The document outlines the 'FLICC' framework (Fake experts, Logical fallacies, Impossible expectations, Cherry picking, and Conspiracy theories) to explain the techniques used in climate denial and proposes 'inoculation' as a method to neutralize these tactics by communicating facts, revealing sources, and explaining denialist techniques.

ClientEarth argues that HM Treasury (HMT) is an obstacle to ambitious climate policy and lacks transparency in its coordination with other departments. The submission calls for a 'Climate Cabinet' and a parallel climate budget to ensure legal targets are met. In the financial sector, ClientEarth highlights a widespread failure among pension funds and asset managers to treat climate change as a material financial risk, noting a 'herd mentality' that stifles innovation. It criticises the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for a lack of enforcement regarding climate risk disclosures and warns of 'greenwash' in sustainable financial products. The document recommends mandatory TCFD reporting for large asset owners by 2022 and the regulation of investment consultants by the FCA.

The Sierra Club argues that the proposed Biomethane Tariff by Sempra Utilities is a 'greenwashing' exercise that fails to meet California's incrementality standards for green energy programs. The protest highlights that the tariff would allow the sale of renewable attributes from existing methane sources, potentially including those outside the United States, without ensuring the development of new renewable facilities. Furthermore, the Sierra Club contends that the program lacks a finalized certification protocol and a transparent methodology for calculating greenhouse gas reductions, while potentially incentivizing industrial dairy operations that cause localized air and water pollution. The document suggests that the limited supply of biomethane—estimated at less than four percent of California's total gas demand—should be reserved for hard-to-electrify applications rather than voluntary subscriptions that perpetuate reliance on gas infrastructure.

The document discusses the necessity of 'taxonomies'—systematic classifications of green assets—to prevent greenwashing and provide clear guidance for issuers and investors. It highlights the transition from voluntary international guidelines, such as the Green Bond Principles, to more comprehensive regulatory frameworks, most notably the EU Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance. The report also details the development of the ISO 14030 international standard and provides examples of regional guidelines in ASEAN, China, and other markets.

Mighty Earth criticizes Michelin for failing to lead the tire industry in ending deforestation and land-grabbing caused by rubber harvesting in Southeast Asia and Africa, calling for the inclusion of civil society in the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber.

The report argues that the proliferation of certification labels creates consumer confusion and allows companies to greenwash their operations without achieving substantive environmental improvements. In fisheries, the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Friends of the Sea (FOS) are criticized for certifying overfished areas and lacking transparency. In the palm oil sector, programs like RSPO, ISCC, and ISPO are found to have failed in slowing deforestation or peatland drainage. In textiles, the Higg Index and Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) are highlighted for weaknesses such as reliance on self-assessment and allowing GMO seeds. The authors call for a shift toward mandatory government regulations and a reform of certifications based on transparency, independence, holistic life-cycle approaches, and scientific standards.