Hugh Helferty published an opinion article in The Globe and Mail expressing support for Canada’s passage of anti-greenwashing Bill C-59. While the oil and gas industry has raised many concerns over the bill, it is in fact long past time for a truth-in-advertising requirement.

From the article:

Oil companies proudly display ethics policies on their websites. The policy of ExxonMobil affiliate Imperial Oil states that their companies are to comply with “all governmental laws, rules and regulations applicable to their business.” Their ethics policy also insists that, even where the “law is permissive,’’ the companies will choose the course of “highest integrity.” If this is the case, then oil companies’ environmental claims should be rigorously defensible and beyond reproach.

Environmental accounting for large corporations with elaborate supply chains may be complex. However, given that the fossil-fuel sector is the single largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in Canada, its accountability for rigorous environmental management is not merely optional – it’s essential. If they can’t keep track of their pollution what does that say about their duty of care to those affected?

Read in The Globe and Mail here.