CAPP says environmental groups should be held to same anti-greenwashing standards

An oil and gas industry group is calling on the federal Competition Bureau to ensure environmental groups are held to the same truth-in-advertising standards as other sectors under new federal greenwashing rules.

The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers which represents the country's oil and gas companies said Thursday it has submitted formal recommendations to the bureau, which is in the process of developing guidance around the new legislation.

The federal government passed a law in June that contained an amendment to the Competition Act requiring corporations to be able to provide evidence to support their environmental claims.

The passage of the law sparked a furor from the oil and gas sector. CAPP, as well as the Pathways Alliance oilsands group and a number of individual oil and gas companies, removed environmental content from their websites in response.

Industry representatives said the legislation effectively silences discussion around climate and environmental policy, and potentially opens up companies to lawsuits by green groups and activist organizations.

In its submission, CAPP said it still believes the new legislation is so flawed it should be repealed.

But it said since the bureau is in the process of drafting guidelines for the new provisions, it should ensure the rules apply equally to all sectors.

"This includes all types of organizations in Canada, including not-for-profit groups involved in raising capital for charitable and non-profit purposes," CAPP said.

"The Competition Bureau should make it clear that parties, such as climate advocacy groups ... are subject to the same standards in respect of their own communications and representations."

No claims without substantiation

The Competition Act amendment passed in June says businesses must not make claims to the public about what they are doing to protect the environment or mitigate the effects of climate change unless those claims are based on "adequate and proper substantiation in accordance with internationally recognized methodology."

The provision is not fossil fuel-specific, but applies to all businesses and economic sectors.

Business groups have expressed concern the new rules will limit disclosure of climate targets and ambitions to investors and financial markets, putting Canadian companies at a disadvantage relative to companies operating in other jurisdictions.

But Emilia Belliveau, program manager with Environmental Defence, said the oil and gas industry has a history of climate change denial and only wants to advertise its products as "green" to make more money.

"CAPP's attempt to point the finger at environmental organizations is an old-school distraction tactic, but it doesn't hold up," Belliveau said in an email.

"Our work is backed by evidence and climate science, unlike oil and gas corporations, who are obviously afraid of anti-greenwashing rules."