Ecosystems are restored to, for example, ensure the availability of food, slow down climate change and prevent species from dying out. If a wetland has been drained, it can be restored by, for example, plugging the trenches that have been dug. In other environments, tree planting may be an option, but often more measures are needed at the same time to succeed.
To reduce their impact on the environment, companies often engage in such initiatives. But a new study shows that many companies promise more than they deliver.
“Some companies exaggerate their initiatives to strengthen their reputation,” write the researchers – so-called greenwashing.
Has researched the world’s 100 largest companies
The researchers have examined how 100 of the world’s largest companies report their initiatives to restore ecosystems. They have tried to find information about, for example, how much money is invested, how the restoration was successful and how the measures are followed up.
– This is very important information, without it we have no idea whether the projects work or not, says marine biologist Tim Lamont.
Apple and Pepsi show no long-term plans
The majority of companies have major shortcomings in their reporting. For example, Apple has no information on the effects their commitments have had on the ecosystems and Pepsi does not report how much money they spend on the projects. None of them say how they plan to follow up on the results.
The computer manufacturer Dell did not tick a single one of the eleven areas the researchers were looking for.
Nestlé – with brands such as Zoégas and After Eight – appears to report more openly. Although they did not report how much money they spent and had no other ecosystems to compare the results to, their report contained information on everything else that was investigated.
“Many ecosystems are restored with tree planting because it’s a bit hip right now,” says environmental scientist Sara Löfqvist. In the video above, she advises on how companies can do instead of avoiding greenwashing.