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The Conversation
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Environment
Christine Parker, Professor of Law, The University of Melbourne

Social media ads are littered with ‘green’ claims. How are we supposed to know they're true?

European Union CPRC ACCC ASIC Facebook
Yuriy Golub/Shutterstock

Online platforms are awash with ads for so-called “green” products. Power companies are “carbon neutral”. Electronics are “for the planet”. Clothing is “circular” and travel is “sustainable”. Or are they?

Our study of more than 8,000 ads served more than 20,000 times in people’s Facebook feeds found many green claims are vague, meaningless or unsubstantiated and consumers are potentially being deceived.

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