It’s no secret that climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time. So it should come as no surprise that when two of the biggest car manufacturers Toyota and BMW——are called out for misleading ads and anti-climate lobbying, people get upset. Recently, the environmental group Greenpeace has taken aim at both companies for their deceptive marketing tactics and dangerous attempts to roll back clean air regulations. In this post, we’ll explore what these allegations mean for Toyota and BMW and what you can do to help hold them accountable.
Toyota’s false advertising campaign
As the world’s largest automaker, Toyota has a lot of influence. And it seems they’re using that influence to spread false information about climate change.
According to recent reports, Toyota has been running ads in Australia that claim the company is committed to reducing its emissions. However, it turns out that Toyota is actually lobbying against stricter emissions standards in the country.
This isn’t the first time Toyota has been called out for misleading advertising. In 2012, the company ran ads in the U.S. claiming that its cars were “the most fuel-efficient vehicles on the road.” However, independent testing showed that some of Toyota’s models were actually worse than average when it came to fuel efficiency.
It’s disappointing to see a company like Toyota resort to false advertising and lobbying against stricter emissions standards. We need companies like Toyota to be leaders in the fight against climate change, not part of the problem.
BMW’s anti-climate lobbying
BMW has long been criticized for its lobbying efforts against climate change mitigation policies. The German automaker is a member of the European Business Summit, which has called for the EU to back away from its climate goals. BMW is also a member of the influential BusinessEurope lobby group, which has been fighting against tougher emissions standards.
In addition to its lobbying efforts, BMW has also been accused of misleading consumers with its advertising. In 2018, the company ran an ad campaign in the UK that claimed its vehicles were “the most fuel-efficient cars on the road.” However, an investigation by The Guardian found that many of the models included in the campaign were actually less fuel-efficient than their rivals.
BMW has defended its lobbying and advertising practices, saying that it is committed to reducing its emissions and that its ads are accurate. However, critics say that the company’s actions show that it is more interested in protecting its profits than combating climate change.
The consequences of these companies’ actions
These companies have been misleading the public about the true extent of their climate lobbying and the consequences of their actions. Their lobbying has been successful in delaying or watering down climate policies around the world, contributing to the continued global dependence on fossil fuels and resulting in more greenhouse gas emissions. This has resulted in higher levels of air pollution and extreme weather events, which impact public health, food security, and economic stability. In addition, their actions have perpetuated environmental injustice, as low-income communities and communities of color are disproportionately impacted by climate change.