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Complaints over Glencore’s net zero by 2050 claims - decision

Litigation

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In September 2022, Lock the Gate Alliance, Comms Declare, and the Plains Clan of Wonnarua People lodged two separate complaints to Ad Standards. They alleged that Glencore's advertising campaign, “Advancing everyday life,” connected to its net-zero-by-2050 campaign, was greenwashed. The first complaint alleged that Facebook advertisements discussed their involvement in mining essential minerals for a low-carbon future but were silent about their current mining operations focused on coal mining. This was in breach of the Environmental Claims Code. In particular, they alleged that there had been a breach of s 1 for misleading or deceptive conduct in relation to environmental claims and s 2 that environmental claims must not overstate their benefit to the environment. The Panel dismissed the complaint. In relation to claims made pursuant to s 1, they found that claims about their current mining activities were not misleading or deceptive as they referred to coal mining activities. There was no need for any further disclaimers or qualifications on the advertisement. In relation to claims made pursuant to s 2, they found that the claim did not overstate the environmental benefits.

The second complaint alleged that website advertisements discussed their involvement in mining essential minerals for a low-carbon future but were silent about their current mining operations focused on coal mining and that this was in breach of the Environmental Claims Code. In particular, they alleged that there had been a breach of s 1 for misleading or deceptive conduct in relation to environmental claims and s 2 that environmental claims must not overstate their benefit to the environment. The Panel dismissed the complaint. In relation to claims made pursuant to s 1, they found that claims about their current mining activities were not misleading or deceptive as they referred to coal mining activities. There was no need for any further disclaimers or qualifications on the advertisement. In relation to claims made pursuant to s 2, they found that the claim did not overstate the benefits to the environment.

Complaints over Glencore’s net zero by 2050 claims

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An aim to achieve a quantifiable outcome within a given time-frame, set by an institution such as a national government.

Policy instruments are techniques or tools used by governing authorities to promote certain policies in order to achieve predetermined goals. Put simply, instruments are how a government tries to achieve its goals, with this taxonomy being focused on national policy instruments.

Risk is the potential for adverse consequences resulting from the dynamic interplay between (climate-related) hazards, exposure, and vulnerability of affected human or ecological systems.

Groups  of people who are adversely affected by climate change or the response to it

A set of principles, processes, and practices that build economic and political power to shift from an extractive economy to a regenerative economy.

Renewable energy means all forms of energy produced from renewable sources in a sustainable manner.

Fossil fuel is a generic term for non-renewable energy sources such as coal, fossil gas, and oil (including crude oil, and petroleum products), that can be used for electricity and heat generation. Fossil fuels are hydrocarbons formed from pressurised and heated organic material buried over millions of years.

Molecules in the atmosphere that play a key role in the greenhouse effect by trapping heat radiating from Earth’s surface.

Area of the economy in which actors engage in identical or related activities.

In human systems, the process of adjustment to actual or expected climate change and its effects, in order to moderate harm, increase resilience or exploit beneficial opportunities. In natural systems, the process of adjustment to actual climate change and its effects; human intervention may facilitate adjustment to expected climate change and its effects.

The management and allocation of funds, assets and investments to meet various objectives

This sector involves the wholesale and retail selling of goods.

Any compulsory, unrequited payment to the government levied on corporations or individuals. This can be for environmental reasons, such as introducing a Carbon tax to set a price that emitters must pay for the greenhouse gases they emit.

Social and cultural groups that share collective ancestral ties to the lands and natural resources where they live, occupy or from which they have been displaced

People with different national or cultural traditions from the dominant population

Tradable permits are market-based tools that grant permission for specific activities, frequently used to regulate emissions. These permits can be issued within a trading system to manage environmental impacts.

A ban is a legal action that prevents the sale or supply of a product or service, or that recalls a product from the market. Examples are bans on SF6, greenwashing, fossil fuel advertisement or single-use plastics.

This sector includes firms and individuals offering specialised expertise in fields such as law, accounting, consulting, science and engineering.

The activities of industries involved in the production, distribution, and sale of energy, including electricity, gas, and renewables.

A commitment to balance GHG emissions with removal by a certain point in time, effectively reducing the net emissions to zero

This sector creates and distributes information and entertainment through television, radio, print, and digital platforms.

Activities of industries that extract natural resources, such as mining, oil, and gas, for commercial use.

Oil is a combustible liquid fossil fuel composed mainly of hydrocarbons, occurring as crude oil and refined into petroleum products such as petrol, diesel and kerosene.

The release of heat-trapping gases, primarily from human activities such as burning fossil fuels, agriculture and industry.

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Coal is a combustible sedimentary rock formed from carbonised plant matter, rich in carbon and hydrocarbons, and occurring in several main types including hard coal and brown coal.

Either money or something of monetary value is transferred between two or more organisations, people or countries.

Activities that involve planning, designing and building infrastructure, residential, and commercial structures.

woman and genders outside of the gender binary

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Complaints over Glencore’s net zero by 2050 claims - decision

Target

Policy instrument

Impacted group

Renewable energy

Fossil fuel

Greenhouse gas

Economic sector

Finance