Will clearer labelling really stop the greenwash?

With the G20 summit rolling into London this week, the environment is something that's on a lot of minds – as well as front pages – right now.

But, as important as it is, that's not what I want to talk about in this blog – although as the dust settles on the assembly and the real issues become apparent, that may well change. Instead, I want to focus on something that's a little closer to home but, I think, just as important.

Last week, the House of Commons Environment Audit Committee released a report calling for a universal scheme to instil consumer confidence in environmental labelling and counter the practice of greenwashing.

According to the committee, the new system – which could use a traffic light or petal system similar to those used in the food industry – will stop the 'proliferation of labels' confusing consumers.

In addition, it called for the government to 'provide Trading Standards and the Advertising Standards Agency with the training, resources, powers and sanctions required to review all instances of dubious environmental claims.'

Greenwashing has been around for some time now, despite the ASA criticising companies such as Shell, Suzuki, Ryanair and Toyota for making misleading claims about the environmental impact of their products.

And while this proposal is definitely a step in the right direction, for me the crucial point is that it really highlights the responsibility we have as consumers. After all, as the EAC knows, the choices we make in the products we buy shouldn't be underestimated.

When we founded My Greener Home, this was something that was very much in our thinking. For that reason, we're keen to see this implemented as soon as possible – providing of course, it is given all the support that has been mentioned. This is a golden opportunity for us all to show the influence we have on the world around us, and it would be a terrible shame to let it go to waste.