23rd Aug: Greenwash Oscars23 August 2002
Oil companies - Shell, BP and Esso (Exxon Mobil) - swept the Greenwash Academy Awards beating biotech giants - Monsanto, Novartis and Aventis - in a glittering award ceremony. Sadly none of them were able to collect their awards in person.
Best Greenwash award goes to no-show BP
Previously, visitors to EarthSummit.biz (online home of the Academy) were invited to submit their nominations - and votes - for a variety of Greenwash Oscars.
The winners included:
- Best Greenwash
BP - Beyond Petroleum rebranding - Best Supporting Government
US - Representing corporate interests in environmental treaty negotiations - Best Documentary Destruction
Arthur Andersen - Excellence in shredding - Best Make Up
Enron...
Ten years ago in Rio, global business promised to deliver sustainable development. They have broken that promise, but they have delivered a motherload of Greenwash
Oscar Green - Academy Host
The ceremony was disrupted by Ronald McDonald, who demanded an Award for McDonald's partnership with UNICEF.
A McPartnership award was spontaneously given.
Oil companies are presenting themselves as solar companies, and companies that promote giant agribusiness and oppose consumer information are claiming to be the solution to world hunger.We are delighted to recognize these companies for what they are: hypocrites.
Craig Bennett, Academy member
(and Friends of the Earth Campaigner)
Green*wash: (gren-wôsh) -washers, -washing, -washed 1) The phenomenon of socially and environmentally destructive corporations attempting to preserve and expand their markets by posing as friends of the environment and leaders in the struggle to eradicate poverty. 2) Environmental whitewash. 3) Hogwash.
© Friends of the Earth
