Will Qantas be held accountable for greenwashing? An update.
In October, Climate Integrity and the Environmental Defenders Office lodged a formal complaint to the ACCC to investigate Qantas for greenwashing. Why? After undertaking an analysis of the airline’s net zero marketing we found the details simply don’t stack up.
So we’ve asked Australia's consumer watchdog to investigate Qantas’ net zero and sustainability claims, including their claim that passengers can “fly carbon neutral” (when we know ‘carbon neutrality’ is not supported by science).
What’s happened since then?
Well, a lot of people have paid attention.
News about Qantas’ potentially misleading net zero claims has reached an estimated 140 million people across the world. It made newspaper headlines, TV screens, podcasts and radio broadcasts, in addition to receiving detailed coverage and analysis in trade publications, while piquing the interest of politicians including Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young and Senator David Pocock.
Importantly, the message has reached everyone: consumers, investors and industry. The conversations sparked from this moment have been big and meaningful.
“Accountability is essential in transition to zero emissions. Corporate climate commitments have to actually mean something. We cannot tolerate greenwashing or false claims that undermine critical climate action. Consumer, investors and industry must work to hold not just Qantas, but all corporations accountable for their commitments” – Claire Snyder, Climate Integrity Director
We’ve also started constructive dialogue with Qantas, the airline industry body, Virgin Australia, and airline employees – a current Qantas pilot reached out to us to discuss how they can help create change on the issue.
What happens next and how can you help?
Qantas has not yet issued a substantive response to the many issues we have raised, with the company likely waiting for the decision from the ACCC on whether or not to conduct an investigation. Regardless of how that decision lands, or the outcomes of any subsequent investigation, the work of net zero accountability continues and we all have a role to play.
Through your engagement with Qantas, whether as a business, a customer or a shareholder, there are a number of answers to key questions that Qantas owes the Australian public, including:
When will Qantas establish credible and verified decarbonisation targets, aligned with the Science Based Targets Initiative or International Energy Agency, as other airlines have done?
When will Qantas develop a demand management strategy to balance growth with the realities of a net zero future?
Given the way in which Qantas uses carbon offsets, and its lack of a credible net zero strategy, will Qantas issue an apology for potentially misleading customers with the “fly carbon neutral” checkbox?
Demonstrating that consumers expect answers on how our national carrier may or may not be misleading us can help keep the pressure on Qantas to improve their practices. Keeping greenwashing in the national conversation ensures Qantas and other companies feel scrutiny and pressure to deliver clear and credible climate commitments.
