News From USW: USW Report Shows DuPont Engages in "Greenwashing"

Business Wire, Nov 5, 2007

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- News From USW: DuPont talks the talk, but does it walk the talk? The United Steelworkers (USW) believes the evidence shows that instead of being a "sustainable" chemical company, DuPont engages in "greenwashing." The union has issued the first of a series of reports about DuPont's "greenwashing."

"Greenwashing" is defined as the dissemination of disinformation by an organization so as to present an environmentally responsible public image. It can include corporate activities like environmental reporting, event sponsorship and the creation of "front groups."

A key aspect of the USW report details the climate impact of DuPont's products, which the chemical giant has refused to calculate. Various DuPont products are likely to dramatically impact global warming as greenhouse gases when they are used and disposed of. The emissions from those products could be enormous, possibly canceling out or exceeding DuPont's touted reductions in greenhouse gases from its facilities, but the company doesn't disclose the climate impact of those products. Non-greenhouse alternatives to DuPont's coolants are available, but they're continuing to be used because DuPont and other companies are lobbying to maintain the market.

"DuPont is skillful in giving the public the impression it truly is concerned and engaging in activities to create a 'better, safer, healthier planet,' but when its profit motive collides with the environment, profit usually wins out," said USW International President Leo W. Gerard.

While the company participates voluntarily in initiatives such as the Global Reporting Initiative, it is careful to control the amount and kind of information that it releases. Behind the green public image, DuPont engages in behind-the-scenes lobbying to control the regulation of environmental issues. By participating in voluntary reporting efforts, the company can avoid revealing anything but the most general and favorable information, while avoiding facility-level reporting that would present a more accurate and problematic picture.

The full report can be found at www.dupontcouncil.org

The USW represents more than 1.2 million workers and retirees and is the largest industrial union in North America. USW represents over 1,800 workers at six DuPont facilities.