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Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.

Fashion’s Push to Switch Coal for Biomass a ‘Greenwashing Tactic,’ Advocacy Groups Say

Support for the fuel from companies like H&M, Adidas and Inditex risks delaying a transition to cleaner energy sources and increasing deforestation, the organisations said.
An Indonesian villager protests against the use of biomass like wood pallets or sawdust as fuel for power plants.
An Indonesian villager protests against the use of biomass like wood pallets or sawdust as fuel for power plants. ( Jefri Tarigan/Jefta Images/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

Big brands’ efforts to get coal out of their supply chains by encouraging a shift to biomass like wood pellets and rice husks is a “greenwashing tactic” that risks delaying a transition to cleaner energy sources and increasing deforestation, a group of 16 Indonesia-based environmental advocacy organisations have said.

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