• A small improvement in the environmental or human rights policies of a Fortune 500 corporation could easily result in more measurable impact on our planet than hundreds of responsible small businesses. Leverage this across their suppliers and retailers and you’ve potential to deliver real change.

• The leverage that large corporations have with governmental entities and consumers is the most powerful tool for building awareness and driving policy change.  

For example: Mining is never sexy and this commercial was in bad taste, but the publication of it generated news articles about the real issues with coal that raised awareness with mainstream consumers. 

Another example: Companies that are criticized for unregulated high tech recycling are some of the most powerful proponents for regulatory changes in this area – if they stopped pushing, change may never happen.  

Net: If corporations can’t advertise their wins for brand gain, they could decide it’s not worth the cost to educate and advocate for change.

There are a lot of stakeholders in this issue, and many valid points of view. It is undeniable that green washing can create risks for consumers or businesses who are misled by marketing claims – financial and even health risks. And, efforts to impose clarifying regulations can lead companies to make contradictory decisions in order to achieve a commerically recognized certification.

For example, at an earlier panel one business representative expressed desire to qualify for Rainforest Alliance Certification (you would recognize the little green frog immediately) but to do so would cause them to ship scrap wood from Brazil instead of using US sources.  Such a change would trigger an increase manufacturing costs, carbon footprint, etc but without certification, consumers are unlikely to associate the product with environmental responsibility.  In order to earsily communicate to consumer that they are green, this company would need to become LESS green!