by Eric Worrall at wattsupwiththat.com
Stronger laws against false climate claims appear to have silenced former corporate green enthusiasts.
Radio silence replaces greenwashing claims
By Anna Patty
Updated April 3, 2023 — 4.14pmfirst published at 5.00amAustralian companies are walking back their public commitments to climate action as part of a growing global trend known as “green hushing”.
With Australian regulators now cracking down on alleged greenwashing, companies have been put on notice that they face an increased risk of legal action for false claims.
The biggest superannuation fund in the country, AustralianSuper, removed its climate report from its website on March 22. The copy on the website where the report used to sit now says: “We are currently updating our climate change report. A new version will be available soon.”
A “net zero by 2050” fact sheet, which included a commitment to active ownership to drive climate action, was removed from AustralianSuper’s website in March.
I’m surprised companies are being so allegedly duplicitous. I mean, everyone knows green technology and production processes are the cheapest option, so why exaggerate your climate claims? /sarc
It would be nice to think companies might finally grow a spine and push back against the green blight, but then they’d have to face the embarrassment of trying to explain their previous positions and claims.
Meanwhile back in the real world, as the West tracks towards shutting down all domestic energy intensive manufacturing, and much of its mining industry, in 2022 China built two coal plants per WEEK, a marked acceleration on previous years.
China’s production capacity significantly exceeds the production capacity of the United States, yet China is building even more capacity, one the eve of what promises to be a severe economic downturn. Almost like China is getting ready for something.
Recently China started accepting imports of Aussie coal again, especially metallurgical coal, you know, the kind of high quality Aussie coal required to manufacture vast tonnages of high grade steel.
But how does this reconcile with China’s economic problems? China’s economy is in a woeful state, and their government is struggling with enormous debts.
I wonder what they need all that steel for?