3rd of July, 2024: The country’s official ecolabel Eco Choice Aotearoa, is welcoming the first-of-its-kind Agreement on Climate Change, Trade and Sustainability (ACCTS).
The innovative deal involving Aotearoa New Zealand, Costa Rica, Iceland, and Switzerland aims to make a meaningful contribution toward addressing the triple-threat of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.
Eco Choice Aotearoa says it’s particularly pleased to see the ACCTS’ emphasis on establishing principles for voluntary, credible ecolabels that protect consumers from greenwashing.
“Our ecolabel, and others like it, offer consumers of products and services, an unparalleled level of assurance in terms environmental preferability, ethical sourcing and human health considerations,” says Chief Executive, Laura Gemmell. “Any sort of production has an impact on the environment. Our role is to work with businesses to minimise that impact as much as possible, while encouraging continuous improvement and innovation”.
Established more than 30 years ago, Eco Choice Aotearoa is a global leader in ecolabeling. It has long-standing relationships with key European ecolabels involved in the drafting of the ACCTS; having previously collaborated with EU Ecolabel and Nordic Swan to establish the Global Ecolabelling Network – a membership dedicated to scientific rigor, transparency, and international collaboration.
Gemmell describes the countries involved in the ACCTS as a “coalition of the willing” poised to provide proof of concept regarding the benefits of sustainable trade.
“This agreement presents a blueprint for the future. It incentivises responsible production, promotes investment in renewable energy, facilitates market access for our sustainable exporters, and fosters the creation of green jobs.”
The ACCTS eliminates tariffs on over 300 environmentally friendly products, making them more accessible for consumers.
“The ACCTS goes beyond simply facilitating trade. It sends a powerful message: economic prosperity and environmental responsibility are not mutually exclusive. Furthermore, it encourages transparency and accountability, empowering consumers to make informed choices that support a sustainable future.”
