Greenhouse Gas Levels REALLY Suck: Accurate Reporting for your Business

Today, new reports show that greenhouse gas levels are actually four times higher than previously reported. New technical processes and equipment are much more accurate, leading researchers to conclude that there are about 5,400 metric tons of nitrogen trifluoride in the atmosphere, with levels increasing by around 11% every year. Previously, it was thought that there were only about 1,200 metric tons in the atmosphere. You can read more about this report from Reuters.

Accurate Reporting for your Business

While the reports are a bit discouraging, the silver lining is that people will continue to question green-related reporting, finding better and more technologically accurate ways to measure the health of the earth.

On a small scale, accurate green-related is super important, especially when there are so many companies guilty of greenwashing. If you’re going report you company’s green-related statistics in your newsletter, on your website, or elsewhere, consider the following to help you stay as accurate as possible:

• Have a third party do the green reporting. You want things to be as fair and accurate as possible. When you compile statistics yourself, your customers will always wonder whether or not you have fudged the numbers.
• Update your reports every year. As technology gets better, so will accuracy, as the report above has showed. Although you may not always like the results, being accurate is key to avoiding greenwashing claims.
• Be as transparent as possible. Make sure you’re clear about what you’re reporting and how those numbers were compiled. Don’t use unclear wording to make yourself sound better.

Greenwashing is extremely common, and the general public is becoming increasingly aware of this practice. Unfortunately, that paranoia also affects the businesses who really are taking steps to go green. By using the tips above, you can help assure your target audience that you really are going green!