Three reasons for eco-label failure

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Author(s)
Buckley, Ralf
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2013
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The fisheries industry promotes third-party eco-labels that signify sustainability, similar to those used in forestry and tourism (see Nature http://doi.org/nb5; 2013). In my view, these fail for three reasons.
First, consumers care strongly that labels for health and quality standards are accurate because they affect individuals, but care much less about eco-labels because their effects are spread across society.
Second, industries tend to use weak eco-labels in political games to avoid strong regulation.
Third, ineffective eco-labels closely mimic accurate ones. Because there are no adverse consequences for consumers ...
View more >The fisheries industry promotes third-party eco-labels that signify sustainability, similar to those used in forestry and tourism (see Nature http://doi.org/nb5; 2013). In my view, these fail for three reasons. First, consumers care strongly that labels for health and quality standards are accurate because they affect individuals, but care much less about eco-labels because their effects are spread across society. Second, industries tend to use weak eco-labels in political games to avoid strong regulation. Third, ineffective eco-labels closely mimic accurate ones. Because there are no adverse consequences for consumers who cannot tell them apart, a high proportion of mimics persists. Eco-labels are thus no substitute for eco-laws.
View less >
View more >The fisheries industry promotes third-party eco-labels that signify sustainability, similar to those used in forestry and tourism (see Nature http://doi.org/nb5; 2013). In my view, these fail for three reasons. First, consumers care strongly that labels for health and quality standards are accurate because they affect individuals, but care much less about eco-labels because their effects are spread across society. Second, industries tend to use weak eco-labels in political games to avoid strong regulation. Third, ineffective eco-labels closely mimic accurate ones. Because there are no adverse consequences for consumers who cannot tell them apart, a high proportion of mimics persists. Eco-labels are thus no substitute for eco-laws.
View less >
Journal Title
Nature
Volume
500
Issue
7461
Copyright Statement
© 2013 Nature Publishing Group. This is the author-manuscript version of this paper. Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. Please refer to the journal website for access to the definitive, published version.
Subject
Environmental management
Tourism management