Regulators are primarily focused on ensuring that companies comply with national and international standards related to Scope 3 emissions. These emissions, which include all indirect emissions that occur in a company's supply chain, are crucial for meeting broader climate change goals. Regulators are tasked with implementing policies and monitoring compliance to ensure that corporate activities align with national commitments to greenhouse gas reduction, as outlined in agreements like the Paris Accord.
Biodiversity loss is a significant concern for regulators, as it poses a threat to ecological balance and sustainability. Regulators are responsible for enforcing laws and policies that protect natural habitats and species. This involves regulating activities that lead to habitat destruction, such as land use changes, deforestation, and pollution, to preserve biodiversity and ensure the sustainable use of natural resources.
Regulators are concerned with the management and reduction of pollution to protect environmental and public health. This includes enforcing standards for air and water quality, waste management, and soil contamination. Regulators aim to minimize the impact of industrial and commercial activities on the environment and public health, ensuring that companies adhere to environmental regulations and employ best practices in pollution control.
Examples
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the United States has established the "Green Guides" to help companies avoid making misleading environmental claims. These guides are designed to ensure that marketing claims about the environmental attributes of products are truthful and non-deceptive. The FTC has taken action against companies that violate these guidelines.
The European Commission published its proposed Directive on Green Claims. This directive is a part of the EU's initiative to target the practice of greenwashing. The EU plans to ban generic environmental claims and other misleading marketing tricks. This ban will apply to commercial communications about goods, particularly those that contain a design feature introduced to limit product durability. Only sustainability labels based on approved certification schemes or established by public authorities will be allowed.
The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) has taken action against companies for making false or misleading claims about the environmental impact of their products or services. The commission emphasizes the importance of accurate and substantiated environmental claims in marketing and packaging.