I envision a future world where consumers can easily understand where their product comes from and whether or not it is truly sustainable. Ordinary people have the right to be protected from companies who may try to falsely advertise towards consumers for economic benefit. In order to ensure true corporate social and environmental responsibility, we need tough laws that force and monitor companies to comply to sustainability standards. For example, governments could crackdown on the admission of certifications by only permitting one per industry and ensuring that is has a rigorous examination process so that consumers can more easily understand what they are buying. This could also inspire more businesses to strive to change their practices in order to earn a certification.
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Hi Amy,
I agree with your post as well as the many comments suggesting that these regulation and certifications can help with increasing the transparency between consummers and companies. How could you recommend marketing the completion/ qualifying for these certificates, ie. would there be a badge displayed on products (similar to animal testing free?)
Hi Amy, I agree that it is problematic that some companies attempt to obfuscate proper sustainability practices for monetary profits. Certification would be certainly effective in regulating business operations. However, how would governments enforce policies that restrict each industry to having only one distinct certification?
Hi Amy! I love your vision as it should be the standard and not as hard as it is currently. My question for you is, do you think having just one certification per industry might limit innovation or create a monopoly?
Certifications are a great way to ensure that people get educated about the products they consume, and the regulation of said certificates is even better. Regulations allow for a reduction in confusion and an increase in transparency.
Regulation of the certifications would be a great movement in increasing the transparency between businesses and buyers. There is definitely scandals/unethical movements that businesses are getting away with which is completely not right.
It would definitely be helpful to only have one certificate to avoid getting lost in the certification jungle. However, how would that work in practise? I don't know of any example where a company (which essentially a certification organisation is) was "forbidden" to exist.
Hi Amy! I think only allowing one certification per industry is a great way to avoid the creation of similar-sounding certifications that are much less meaningful than the original.
In addition to this, I think it would be beneficial to make the meanings of these certifications more widely known and easily accessible. I believe this may encourage consumers to buy differently!
Hi Amy, I think the idea of certifications is a great way for companies to show that their products are coming from sustainable sources.
Hi Amy, I really like your vision, great job!
I really like the intervention of only allowing several certifications every year.
I agree that a more rigorous examination process is required to allow a more educated consumer base