Because the 'environment' is a very broad area, when we look at company activities we split up the criticisms into five different categories:
Environmental reporting
We've been asking companies for their environmental policies and reports for years. Initially, if they
responded at all, they provided us with vague statements about 'minimising impacts'. These days, many
companies produce much more detailed reports looking at precise impacts and setting goals for reducing
them.
We think that all companies need to be looking ahead and making realistic
reductions across all areas of their business. We also think that companies
need to have these targets and reports verified by other organisations.
The only time we 'let companies off' is if they are small or medium
sized enterprises aiming to provide environmental or social alternatives,
and only if they have a turnover of less than £5 million.
Pollution and toxics
Pollution isn't just about big oil spills or chemical disasters like Bhopal. There are tens of thousands
of synthetic chemicals in regular use in a wide range of products from shampoo to computers. Many of these
chemicals can pollute both the environment and our bodies.
Some chemicals are known as bio-accumulative, which means that they can stay stored in our body fat, for years.
Some chemicals - like PVC - have a heavy toll on the environment, not just when they're being produced, but during their
lifetime and then later on, when they're disposed of. Many of these chemicals have been singled out by campaigners
like WWF and Greenpeace as particularly worrying.
Some companies are phasing out the use of chemicals but we need to keep the pressure up on those that are
lagging behind. Pesticides and herbicides also come under this category. Our best buys will always, where
possible, be free of harmful chemicals and so will be the healthier alternative, for our bodies, our children
and for the environment.
Nuclear Power
Although the green movement may be split about the necessity of nuclear power, we remain unconvinced. It's true
that nuclear power might be a low-carbon alternative. Yet campaigners argue that nuclear power has intrinsic
accident and radiation risks and of course produces nuclear waste, which remains dangerous for thousands of
years and which we still don't know what to do with.
Climate change
Climate change is no longer theoretical. It's with us now. We caused it and it's up to us to do something about
it. We all need to do our bit for the environment. Some sectors contribute particularly heavily to climate
change. These include the airline industry and industries such as oil industries.
Companies making products
that have a higher contribution to climate change than other products in the sector (such as cars with low
mileage per gallon) will be criticised here, as will companies making misleading claims about climate change.
Habitats and Resources
This category looks to specific environmental destruction or exploitation
of habitats and resources - whether it's palm oil plantations which
threaten the Orang Utan with extinction, pollution incidents which kill
off marine environments or the use of trees which haven't come from
sustainable sources.
It's more important than ever to conserve existing environments and
prevent the further extinction of plants, animals, birds and fish. If
you want to make sure your shopping doesn't threaten environments, look
out for FSC certified wood and paper, buy recycled paper, and avoid
products with palm oil in where you can.
Download a pdf of the full detailed definitions of all the categories
we use to rate companies.
