Link: https://www.euronews.com/green/2023/01/26/ryanair-low-cost-airline-warned-about-misleading-carbon-offset-claims
To quickly summarize the article talks about how Ryanair claims that CO2 compensation schemes release lesser carbon emissions and therefore be a more sustainable method of transportation. To which the Authority of Consumers and Markets (ACM) stated that airlines cannot give the impression that CO2 compensation can make flying sustainable.
This particular article reminded me of a concept we spoke about in class “Greenwashing” and I found it really interesting to talk about. I feel like greenwashing has become a very common concept in today’s time due to a high increase in demand for greener goods and sustainable practices. Companies find it easier to put on an ad on false sustainability marketing to take advantage of this highly demanding market.
Due to the rate at which the current CO2 emissions are increasing the climate is in danger. Anyone at UBC would know that. Companies must focus on developing cleaner and more sustainable ways of production, farming, transportation, etc. We can see that the world is slowly developing with the innovation of Electric Vehicles.
Until airlines cannot switch to more sustainable practices they should work on methods to reduce the current emissions. Instead of focusing on carbon offsetting schemes airlines should focus on switching to sustainable aviation fuel or hydrogen-powered engines to help reduce carbon emissions.
Lastly, Greenwashing is completely ethical and should not be practiced in the business world. Any company or brand disobeying or exceeding these rules must be fined for their mistakes.
