July 2025 newsletter – Another year of action
Another year of action
We’re delighted to share our 2024 Activity Report. In the face of the escalating climate crisis and political instability, we remained steadfast in our fight for a fairer, more sustainable future.
We released our most ambitious report to date, The New Merchants of Doubt. The mega-investigation reveals the tactics used by Big Meat and Dairy, borrowing directly from the playbooks of Big Oil and Big Tobacco, to distract, delay and derail action on agricultural methane.
At the same time, our fossil fashion campaign helped thread accountability through the industry, with our work, including our report Fashion’s Plastic Paralysis, helping to drive policy change at national and EU levels. All the while, we continued to progress the fight against greenwashing.
Find out more about how our work helped cut through the noise!
Calling out the methane snail race
In June, we hosted a webinar as part of London Climate Action Week to discuss the urgent state of methane emissions in the food sector. Methane is the climate’s emergency brake, but major food companies remain stuck in a snail’s race when it comes to curbing emissions.
Our expert panel highlighted why voluntary pledges are insufficient, why retailers must step up, and how stronger regulations and financial transparency are crucial to accelerating progress. The lively discussions and insightful questions from participants reflected growing demand for meaningful regulation in the sector.
Missed it? No problem, we have a recording!
The greenwash corner
On 20 June, the European Commission made a shocking and deeply undemocratic move, announcing – on the eve of the negotiations set to finalise it – that it was withdrawing from the Green Claims Directive. While the Directive is far from perfect, such a move would be a disaster.
Our research has revealed just how widespread greenwashing is in Europe, with nearly 60% of fashion brand claims found to be misleading. Since the proposed clampdown was first announced, we were seeing the market slowly moving in the right direction.
In the ensuing confusion the negotiations (known as the trilogue) were cancelled. Following political backlash and strong media attention, the Commission has since said that the Directive has not (yet) been formally withdrawn.
Although the Directive’s future hangs in the balance, the fight against greenwashing continues, and we will keep shining the light on this shady industry practice.
Join our team!
The Changing Markets Foundation is looking for two talented and motivated individuals to join our dynamic team. Help us expose irresponsible corporate practices and drive the shift toward a more sustainable economy.
🔎 Research Manager
Are you a seasoned researcher ready to build the evidence base needed to hold corporate polluters accountable and accelerate climate action?
📣 Campaign Manager / Senior Campaigner (depending on experience)
Are you a dynamic campaigner passionate about creating change through high-impact food systems transformation?
Learn more and apply by Thursday, 7 August 2025.
In the media
Bloomberg
Global Food Companies Are Struggling to Deliver Methane Progress
“It’s like a snail’s race,” says Nusa Urbancic, chief executive officer of the Changing Markets Foundation. For the food industry to do its part in staving off climate disaster, advocates say companies will have to dramatically increase their spending and their sense of urgency.
Sourcing Journal
European Commission Yanks Proposed Anti-Greenwashing Rules
“The green claims directive was supposed to clarify the other’s rules and enforcement mechanisms,” said Nusa Urbancic, CEO of the Changing Markets Foundation, a watchdog group that campaigns against greenwashing. Pulling it at this point would be a “disaster.”
Which?
How Green are Green Claims?
A report from the Changing Markets Foundation also states that recycled polyester is almost always made from plastic bottles, which cannot be effectively recycled back and is likely to still end up in a landfill at the end of the product’s life cycle.
Our must-reads and listens
- New York Times: A Conservative’s Plan to Sell Public Lands Faces MAGA Pushback
- The Guardian (podcast): Texas floods and forecasting cuts: a sign of things to come?
- Outrage & Optimism: 302: Health Warning: The Human Cost of Climate Inaction
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