Study level

  • PhD
  • Master of Philosophy
  • Honours
  • Vacation research experience scheme

Faculty/School

Faculty of Business and Law

School of Law

Topic status

We're looking for students to study this topic.

Research centre

Centre for Behavioural Economics, Society and Technology

Supervisors

Professor Matthew Rimmer
Position
Professor, Intellectual Property and Innovation
Division / Faculty
Faculty of Business & Law

Overview

This project is exploring the regulation of greenwashing in Australia, and elsewhere. It is investigating the environmental, sustainability and climate claims made by companies in a variety of industries including energy, vehicles, household products and appliances, food and drink packaging, cosmetics, clothing and footwear. It is exploring the impact of misleading environmental and sustainability claims on consumers. It is compiling a database of disputes and controversies over greenwashing. This project is analysing various modes of regulation of greenwashing. It highlights the role of intellectual property - particularly in respect of certification trade marks, eco-marks, and misleading trade marks. It considers the role of consumer law in dealing with misleading and deceptive conduct in respect of environmental claims. It assesses the efficacy of advertising standards in respect of environmental and sustainability claims. It considers the role of corporations law in dealing with greenwashing. It also explores environmental and climate litigation over greenwashing. This project is interested in new models of law reform - such as the European Green Claims Directive.

Outcomes

This research is designed to help inspire law reform to ensure that there is better regulation of greenwashing in respect of  the environment, sustainability, and the climate.

Skills and experience

Prospective students would benefit from expertise and skills in fields such as intellectual property; consumer law and competition policy; advertising standards; media and communications law; corporations law; environmental law; climate law and justice; and marketing.

Scholarships

You may be eligible to apply for a research scholarship.

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Keywords

Contact

Contact the supervisor for more information.