Not all green claims are the same. Just think of Woolworths, which falsely branded its "Select" toilet paper and tissues as coming from sustainably managed forests. You need to appreciate the relative merit of different labels to maximise your green dollar. Here is a overview of what to look for.
There are three types of eco-labels defined by the International Organisation for Standardisation, whose ISO 14000 series of environmental assessment methods covers environmental management, certification and eco-labelling.
- Type I labels (ISO 140024) are the most informative, certifying selective, multi-criteria-based, third-party-certified endorsement of a product.
- Type III labels (ISO 14025) certify quantified but non-selective product information based on independent verification against established benchmarks. In othe words, the product meets certain standards.
- Type II labels (ISO 14021) are self-declared claims, such as 'dolphin-friendly'. You need to make up your own mind about the worth of such labels, but generally if it isn't certified by a third party you should take it with a grain of salt.
For more information on ecolabels check out the website of the Global Ecolabelling Network. For information about ISO 14000 go to the ISO.
Eco-preferred goods and services
Good Environmental Choice
Good Environmental Choice is Australia’s only Type I eco-labelling program for general consumer goods. It certifies products that are environmentally preferable from a whole-of-life-cycle perspective compared to others in the same category. The program is managed by the non-profit organisation Good Environmental Choice Australia, which has mutual recognition arrangements with national eco-labelling programs in the United States, China, Korea, Taiwan and Thailand through the Global Eco-labelling Network. For a list of GEC-accredited products go to www.geca.org.au.
Renewable energy
Green Power
Green power is any electricity generated from clean, renewable energy sources such as solar, wind power, hydro, biomass, wave energy and landfill gas capture. Under the government-accredited Green Power scheme your energy provider commits to sourcing the equivalent (or some of the) electricity you use from renewable energy generators. It costs a little more but your money supports crucial investment in renewable energy.
Sustainable timber products
Forest Stewardship Council
The FSC trademark certifies that timber and wood products (including paper) are sourced from well-managed forests (products containing verified FSC recycled materials are identified by a special label variation. FSC is a Type I eco-label, assessed and certified according to social and environmental standards agreed to by the Forest Stewardship Council, an international coalition of timber buyers, traders and non-government organisations, and endorsed by environmental groups including WWF and the Australian Conservation Foundation. For more information and a database of FSC products go to www.fsc.org.
Carbon-neutral products
Greenhouse Friendly
The Greenhouse Friendly logo indicates certification by the Australian Greenhouse Office that a product or service is greenhouse-gas neutral from cradle to grave. Under an independent verification process, emissions created in production, use and disposal are offset though approved abatement projects in Australia. The include energy-efficiency measures, waste diversion and recycling, renewable energy generation and tree-planting projects. For more information go to www.greenhouse.gov.au.
Electronic equipment
Energy Star
Energy Star is an international standard for energy-efficient electronic equipment established by the US Environmental Protection Agency and adopted by countries including Australia and New Zealand. Energy Star-compliant machines reduce power use by going to ‘sleep’ when not being used and/or using less energy in ‘standby’ mode. Energy-saving features on machines like computers are not automatic so need to be activated. For information on the energy consumption of more than 5000 appliances while in low-power modes (including ‘off’) go to www.energyrating.gov.au/standbydata.
Water efficiency
Water Rating
All showerheads, tap equipment, toilets, urinals, washing machines and dishwashers must now be registered and carry a water-rating label under the federal government’s Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards scheme. The label is similar in appearance to the energy-rating system for electrical appliances, with a score out of six stars and an indicator of water consumption or flow. For more information about the scheme go to www.waterrating.gov.au.
Sustainable agriculture
Fairtrade
Though not specifically an eco-labelling system, Fairtrade certification promotes more sustainable agriculture by addressing the trading practices that lead to traditional farming practices being abandoned, rainforests being cleared and single-species cash crops dependent on artificial fertilisers and pesticides being planted. Fairtrade distributors pay a higher-than-market price to local co-operatives to ensure minimum labour, environmental and social conditions are met. For information on the labelling and certification system and on where to buy Fairtrade products go to www.fairtrade.com.au.
Travel and tourism
Green Globe
Green Globe is the worldwide benchmarking and certification program for the travel and tourism industry, including hotels, restaurants, resorts and vehicle rental companies. The program measures performance in greenhouse gas emissions; energy efficiency; freshwater use; waste-water management; air quality protection and noise control; solid waste minimisation, reuse and recycling; ecosystem impact; land use; and local social, cultural and economic impact. For more information and a list of participating businesses go to www.greenglobe.org.
Ethical investment
Sustainable Responsible Investment
The SRI Certification Program is the world’s first for providers of ethical and socially responsible investment products and services. Managed by the Responsible Investment Association Australasia, the program certifies licensees in four categories: fund managers that apply a systematic SRI methodology; superannuation funds that offer a certified SRI option or invest at least 5 per cent of their money in certified products; financial advisers who have completed the association’s ethical-investment training course; and dealer groups that include certified SRI products on their approved list. For more information and a list of certified products and services go to www.eia.org.au.
Organic produce
Australian Government Certified Organic
Organic produce is grown without the use of synthetic chemicals or genetically engineered products, focusing instead on improving the health of the soil through natural means. Animals in organic farming systems are fed organic feed and allowed to roam freely. The environmental dividend is greater biodiversity at all levels of the food chain. There are seven certification organisations approved by the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service, each with their own logo (for a complete list go to www.ofa.org.au). The Australian Government Certified regulatory mark was developed by AQIS with the certifiers to provide greater assurance for buyers.
