CA ANZ and CPA Australia have provided feedback to the senate standing committee on environment and communications’ inquiry on greenwashing. The inquiry called for submissions in relation to the following terms of reference:

a) the environmental and sustainability claims made by companies in industries including energy, vehicles, household products and appliances, food and drink packaging, cosmetics, clothing and footwear;
b) the impact of misleading environmental and sustainability claims on consumers;
c) domestic and international examples of regulating companies' environmental and sustainability claims;
d) advertising standards in relation to environmental and sustainability claims;
e) legislative options to protect consumers from green washing in Australia; and
f) any other related matters

In the joint submission, lodged on the 16 June 2023, we responded to the term of reference (C) and included commentary in relation to the role of sustainability disclosure standards in preventing greenwashing, the importance of enforcement and the accounting profession.