OZONE DEPLETION-3

PRERNA FOR IAS

         Mehnat Aapki, Guidance Humari

         Roz ki Prelims Practice — Experts ke Saath

OZONE DEPLETION-3

1. National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change

The National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change (NMSKCC) is one of the eight missions under India's National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). It aims to strengthen scientific research and improve understanding of climate change and its impacts. The mission promotes climate modelling, environmental monitoring, data collection, and research collaborations among universities, research institutions, and government agencies. It encourages innovation in climate adaptation and mitigation technologies while building scientific capacity. By generating reliable climate information, the mission supports evidence-based policymaking and helps India prepare for future climate-related challenges through informed planning and sustainable development strategies.

2. Greenwashing

Greenwashing is the practice of making false, exaggerated, or misleading claims about a company's environmental performance to appear environmentally responsible without taking meaningful action. The term was introduced in 1986 by environmentalist Jay Westerveld. Companies may advertise products as "eco-friendly," "natural," or "green" without sufficient scientific evidence. Greenwashing misleads consumers, reduces trust in genuine sustainable businesses, and weakens environmental conservation efforts. Governments and consumer protection agencies increasingly regulate environmental claims to prevent deceptive marketing. Consumers should verify certifications and credible labels before accepting environmental claims made by businesses.

3. Common Forms of Greenwashing

Greenwashing takes several forms. Companies may use vague environmental claims such as "100% natural" without proof. Some highlight one positive environmental feature while hiding major environmental damage, known as the hidden trade-off. Others use fake eco-labels, misleading images of forests or nature, or irrelevant claims such as "CFC-free" for products where CFCs are already banned. Some provide no scientific evidence for their environmental claims, while others exaggerate small improvements to appear sustainable. Identifying greenwashing requires checking certifications, transparent reporting, and independent environmental audits before trusting green marketing messages.

4. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)