AA Urban Greenwashing Webinar 24th January 2024 (Links to references)
Greenwashing in a corporate context is overstating green credentials to make companies seem more environmentally friendly than they really are. It is obviously about deceit and manipulation, but the most sinister aspect is the hidden damage to the environment that is being obscured by their claims. In a planning context, urban greenwashing is councils and builders promising green streets and delivering ‘business as usual’, poorly designed high-density development with inadequate tree planting and provision of greenspace, depriving residents of shelter from the sun in the heat of summer and the delights that come from having nature on your doorstep. In the last few years, more than 80% of the 400+ UK councils have jumped on the green bandwagon, declaring nature and climate emergencies, but how much of this is urban greenwashing and who is really delivering meaningful urban greening? My experience is that many of our local politicians are failing us, and it is going to be down to ordinary people to make a real difference. In this webinar, I will be exploring how each of us can strangle the life out of urban greenwashing and make a real difference to the quality of the places where we live.