Harsh Greenwash Policing Puts ESG Goals at Risk, Pension Warns

Efforts to punish greenwashing offenders risk discouraging optimistic goals by well-intentioned companies and institutions, according to a top green bond investor at one of Australia’s largest pension managers.

Companies that miss environmental targets shouldn’t be demonized for greenwashing because it will discourage ambitious goal setting in the future Marayka Ward, the director of sustainable investing at Australian pension QIC Ltd., told a panel at the Commonwealth Bank Momentum Conference in Sydney on Thursday.

“We’re not stupid,” Ward said. “We can see through stories and when things aren’t quite adding up. Compliance professionals need to give us a little ...