The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has issued new guidance on how businesses make greenhouse gas emissions claims to consumers, warning that misleading environmental claims can breach the Australian Consumer Law.
Released on 20 October 2026, Making emissions claims to consumers addresses the evidence and wording behind claims about emissions reductions, carbon credits and future targets.
What the guidance says
The ACCC says claims should be supported by complete and reputable emissions accounting and should not be broad, selective or vague. Businesses should explain when a claimed benefit comes from changes to their own operations and when it relies on purchased carbon credits or certificates.
The regulator also cautions against double counting emissions benefits and says future emissions claims must have reasonable grounds. The overall impression conveyed to an ordinary consumer matters, not just the technical accuracy of an isolated statement.
ACCC deputy chair Mick Keogh said businesses should review consumer-facing emissions claims and revise claims that lack adequate evidence or clarity.
Transport and logistics context
The ACCC specifically identified logistics among the sectors in which it has observed changes to environmental marketing claims since greenwashing became an enforcement priority in 2023. Its latest guidance is not a new transport-specific emissions reporting law; it explains how existing consumer-law obligations apply when businesses voluntarily promote their emissions credentials.
Transport businesses making public claims about low-emissions services, fleet improvements, offsets or future emissions targets should distinguish measurable operational changes from credits purchased elsewhere and avoid presenting a planned outcome as an achieved one.
The guidance is directed at claims to consumers. Whether a particular statement is misleading depends on its wording, context and supporting evidence; the release does not allege misconduct by any named freight operator.
Primary documents: ACCC media release, 20 October 2026; ACCC emissions claims guidance.