Experts warn louder sustainability messaging in Asia could deepen greenwashing risks, while shifting business priorities and consumer realities are also pushing “green” claims out of the spotlight.
This year, ‘greenrinsing’ – shifting climate targets after luring investment – cast a shadow over corporate decarbonisation efforts, while fossil fuel firms leaned on carbon capture technologies to justify ongoing expansion and promoted natural gas as "clean".
A study of local businesses by UN Global Compact finds a three-year downward trend in transparency on sustainability goals. Three in four Singaporean firms have delayed targets or made revisions, but most say sustainability remains a priority.
Worldwide, the climate non-profit saw nearly 50 per cent more companies embarking on sustainability reporting this year. A record number of firms in Asia Pacific and North America face rising calls for nature disclosures.