Al Gore has warned that the "the mounting threat of green-wash” poses a significant and increasing risk to a successful transition away from fossil fuels.
"There remains a yawning gap between long-term climate goals and near-term action plans” at both the corporate and government levels, the former U.S. vice president said, adding that the chasm encompasses more than just environmental issues. "Large emitters must increase their climate ambitions with renewed credibility and urgency. Likewise, developing countries urgently need substantial support on vaccine access, climate finance and debt relief.”
At the same time, sustainable investing has "entered the mainstream,” providing even more openings for potential green-washing, said Gore, 73, currently chairman of Generation Investment Management. "We must be vigilant about the rising threat of green-washing or risk derailing hard-won progress” that has been made in recognizing the climate crisis, he said.