Comments on: John Polak and the Global Ecolabelling Network http://blog.terrachoice.com/2008/01/28/john-polak-and-the-global-ecolabelling-network/ A blog on the EcoLogo program and green commerce Fri, 21 Nov 2008 07:15:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: TerraChoice http://blog.terrachoice.com/2008/01/28/john-polak-and-the-global-ecolabelling-network/#comment-170 TerraChoice Thu, 27 Mar 2008 18:29:20 +0000 http://blog.terrachoice.com/2008/01/28/john-polak-and-the-global-ecolabelling-network/#comment-170 [...] The argument sounds rational, but it doesn’t mean we should encourage greenwashing. Truly effective greenwashing can and often does go unnoticed, with companies proliferating their own ecolabels and generally adding to consumer confusion. On the other hand, substantiated green marketing is worth encouraging. The more companies can help customers make smart environmental choices, the more pressure there is on the market to make a range of environmental choices available. There may be some unavoidable greenwashing along the way to a greener market, but we should mitigate it wherever possible - with transparency, with positive reinforcement of eco-friendly practices, and with the help of trusted, accredited ecolabels. [...] […] The argument sounds rational, but it doesn’t mean we should encourage greenwashing. Truly effective greenwashing can and often does go unnoticed, with companies proliferating their own ecolabels and generally adding to consumer confusion. On the other hand, substantiated green marketing is worth encouraging. The more companies can help customers make smart environmental choices, the more pressure there is on the market to make a range of environmental choices available. There may be some unavoidable greenwashing along the way to a greener market, but we should mitigate it wherever possible - with transparency, with positive reinforcement of eco-friendly practices, and with the help of trusted, accredited ecolabels. […]

]]> By: TerraChoice http://blog.terrachoice.com/2008/01/28/john-polak-and-the-global-ecolabelling-network/#comment-89 TerraChoice Thu, 28 Feb 2008 23:37:12 +0000 http://blog.terrachoice.com/2008/01/28/john-polak-and-the-global-ecolabelling-network/#comment-89 [...] of posts based on discussions with John Polak, chair of the Global Ecolabelling Network. Click for Part One, Part Two or Part [...] […] of posts based on discussions with John Polak, chair of the Global Ecolabelling Network. Click for Part One, Part Two or Part […]

]]> By: TerraChoice http://blog.terrachoice.com/2008/01/28/john-polak-and-the-global-ecolabelling-network/#comment-75 TerraChoice Thu, 21 Feb 2008 17:32:18 +0000 http://blog.terrachoice.com/2008/01/28/john-polak-and-the-global-ecolabelling-network/#comment-75 [...] third in a series based on discussions with John Polak, chair of the Global Ecolabelling Network. Part One is available here, and Part Two is available [...] […] third in a series based on discussions with John Polak, chair of the Global Ecolabelling Network. Part One is available here, and Part Two is available […]

]]> By: TerraChoice http://blog.terrachoice.com/2008/01/28/john-polak-and-the-global-ecolabelling-network/#comment-10 TerraChoice Wed, 06 Feb 2008 21:51:04 +0000 http://blog.terrachoice.com/2008/01/28/john-polak-and-the-global-ecolabelling-network/#comment-10 [...] where Part One of this series left off, let’s look at the next major stage of activities planned for the Global [...] […] where Part One of this series left off, let’s look at the next major stage of activities planned for the Global […]

]]> By: Janne Flisrand http://blog.terrachoice.com/2008/01/28/john-polak-and-the-global-ecolabelling-network/#comment-5 Janne Flisrand Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:52:30 +0000 http://blog.terrachoice.com/2008/01/28/john-polak-and-the-global-ecolabelling-network/#comment-5 Ooh - anything that coordinates, facilitates, and potentially simplifies ecolabeling for consumers is exciting. The whole process - who sets standards, how are they enforced, what do they mean, where do they apply - is very technical and it needs to be technical. But, in most cases, ecolabeling is useful only if the consumer knows it ecolabeling exists, understands that it matters (why isn't so important), and can recognize the label among the complex marketing cues thrown at consumers. Many people have good intentions, but are <a href="http://www.publicradio.org/columns/sustainability/greenwash/2008/01/a_proliferation_of_definitions_1.html" title="confused." rel="nofollow"> While this effort isn't necessarily going to make it easy for my wanna-be-green friends, it may eventually play a significant part. Ooh - anything that coordinates, facilitates, and potentially simplifies ecolabeling for consumers is exciting. The whole process - who sets standards, how are they enforced, what do they mean, where do they apply - is very technical and it needs to be technical.

But, in most cases, ecolabeling is useful only if the consumer knows it ecolabeling exists, understands that it matters (why isn’t so important), and can recognize the label among the complex marketing cues thrown at consumers.

Many people have good intentions, but are While this effort isn’t necessarily going to make it easy for my wanna-be-green friends, it may eventually play a significant part.

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