An article recently published in the Ecologist talks about how Monsanto, the US company wants its GM crops to be given carbon credits and to be at the forefront of tackling climate change despite link to deforestation.The biotech giant has been criticised for its aggressive corporate lobbying on climate change at the Copenhagen summit.In a public vote organised by the alliance of NGOs, including Friends of the Earth and Spinwatch, the US agricultural company came out ahead of oil giant Shell and the American Petroleum Institute.According to the alliance, the expansion of GM soy in Latin America is contributing to major deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions.

Green claims are everywhere, but surely there must be some simple way of measuring exactly what impact a company is having on the climate.  Inviting a third party like the soil association to endorse your product is a powerful indicator to customers of your integrity.  The big labels are hard to reach and that’s exactly why they are trusted!Here is a list of the 10 signs of Greenwash1 Fluffy language - words or terms with no clear meaning eg ‘eco-friendly’.2 Green products v dirty company - such as efficient light bulbs made in a factory which pollutes rivers.3 Suggestive pictures - eg flowers blooming from exhaust pipes.4 Irrelevant claims - emphasising one tiny green attribute when everything else is un-green.5 Best in class - declaring you are slightly greener than the rest, even if the rest are pretty terrible.6 Just not credible - ‘eco-friendly’ cigarettes.7 Gobbledygook - jargon and information that only a scientist could check or understand.8 Imaginary friends - a ‘label’ that looks like a third party endorsement… except its made up.9 No proof - it could be right, but there is no evidence.10 Out - right lying - totally fabricated claim or data.

Green claims are everywhere, but surely there must be some simple way of measuring exactly what impact a company is having on the climate?Inviting a third party like the Soil Association to endorse your product is a powerful indicator to customers of your integrity.The big labels are hard to reach and that’s exactly why they are trusted.Here is a list of 10 signs of Greenwash1. Fluffy language - words or terms with no clear meaning, eg ‘eco-friendly’2. Green products v dirty company - such as efficient light bulbs made in a factory which pollutes rivers3. Suggestive pictures - green images that indicate a (un-justified) green impact eg flowers blooming from exhaust pipes.4. Irrelevant claims - emphasising one tiny green attribute when everything else is un-green5. Best in class - declaring you are slightly greener than the rest, even if the rest are pretty terrible.6. Just not credible - ‘eco friendly’ cigarettes anyone?7. Gobbledygook - jargon and information that only a scientist could check or understand8. Imaginary friends - a ‘label’ that looks like a third party endorsement… except its made up9. No proof - it could be right, but where’s the evidence.10. Out - right lying - totally fabricated claim or data.

Eloise Grey, an ethical and organic clothing designer, whose collection of ladies’ coats, jackets and skirts are constructed from Isle of Mull tweeds and in tune with the cycle of growth in the land, is in partnership with ethical fashion label Makepiece and has launched her first luxury sustainable fashion boutique, ‘Upstairs at Purity’.The concept store specialises in UK artisan produced clothing for women and men.  Grey will be selling her own priz-winning organic tweed womenswear, alongside other fashion labels that match her standards of sustainability, style and fashion edge.To view her collection visit Eloise Grey Boutique, Upstairs at Purity, 20 Downing Street, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 7PB