eco-certification
Sustainability credential badge
Eco-certification is official recognition that a product, service, or organization meets environmental standards set by a certifying body.
The label signals to consumers that something has been vetted for sustainability practices: Look for eco-certification when buying seafood.
Common in forestry, fisheries, agriculture, and tourism, these certifications vary widely in rigor and credibility.
Formal accounts examination
- verificationProving something accurate
- complianceAdhering to requirements
- inspectionFormal assessment of condition
- assessmentFormal evaluation of worth
documentation · third-party · accreditation · renewal · criteria · application · checklist · monitoring
Managing wooded land
- fisheriesFish-harvesting operations
- textilesWoven or knit materials
- agricultureCultivation of land, livestock
- constructionProcess of building something
manufacturing · hospitality · cosmetics · electronics · food processing · coffee · palm oil · seafood
Quality inspiring trust
- consumer trustBuyer faith in businesses
- brand reputationPublic perception of company
- premium pricingCharging above competitors deliberately
- competitive advantageFactor enabling market outperformance
sustainability · accountability · environmental impact · differentiation
Green architecture certification
- organicFrom living matter
- Energy StarEPA efficiency certification program
- USDA OrganicFederal food purity designation
- carbon neutralZero net emissions
False sustainability claims
- accessibilityEase of approach
- complexityState of being complicated
- proliferationRapid increase in quantity
- inconsistencyLack of steady pattern
audit
Formal accounts examination
- verificationProving something accurate
- complianceAdhering to requirements
- inspectionFormal assessment of condition
assessment · documentation · third-party · accreditation · renewal · criteria · application · checklist · monitoring · traceability
forestry
Managing wooded land
- fisheriesFish-harvesting operations
- textilesWoven or knit materials
- agricultureCultivation of land, livestock
construction · manufacturing · hospitality · cosmetics · electronics · food processing · coffee · palm oil · seafood · timber
credibility
Quality inspiring trust
- consumer trustBuyer faith in businesses
- brand reputationPublic perception of company
- premium pricingCharging above competitors deliberately
competitive advantage · sustainability · accountability · environmental impact · differentiation
LEED
Green architecture certification
- organicFrom living matter
- Energy StarEPA efficiency certification program
- USDA OrganicFederal food purity designation
greenwashing
False sustainability claims
- accessibilityEase of approach
- complexityState of being complicated
- proliferationRapid increase in quantity
- eco-lodgeseco-lodge, eco-lodges, eco-resort, green hotel, eco-tourism
- Environmental Policyclimate policy, Clean Air Act, conservation policy, Clean Water Act, environmental regulation
- sustainable harvestwild harvest, fishing quotas, catch limits, bag limits, renewable resources
- green energywind power, solar power, renewables, solar farm, solar panel
- green techsolar panels, solar power, wind energy, clean energy, wind turbines
- green businesssustainable business, corporate responsibility, ESG, CSR, green initiative
eco-certificationgreenwashing
False sustainability claims
green marketing · uncertified · astroturfing · non-certified · self-certification