Tyson Foods is misleading shoppers and investors over its ability to reach "net-zero" carbon emissions by 2050 as well take other steps aimed at protecting the environment. Tyson, the world's second-biggest meat processor, should have to curtail its climate claims or release a substantial plan to support its claims, according to a lawsuit filed on Wednesday by the Environmental Working Group. The complaint is part of an effort to "hold the biggest, most powerful contributors to the climate crisis — across industries — accountable for greenwashing," EWG stated .
Tyson Foods has said since 2021 that it would hit net-zero emissions — the point at which the amount of greenhouse gases a company emits is offset by the emissions that are removed from the atmosphere — by 2050 by using more renewable energy and no longer contributing to deforestation. The Arkansas-based meat company also sells a brand of "climate-friendly" beef that Tyson says is made with 10% fewer emissions than conventional meat. A spokesperson said Tyson does not comment on litigation, but defended the company's "long history of sustainable practices.
" The suit against Tyson was filed in Washington, D.C., which has a consumer protection law in place that lets consumer groups sue companies for false advertising.
The same claim of greenwashing — a term attributed to environmentalist Jay Westerveld that refers to making false or misleading statements about the environmental benefits of a product or service .