Enough is enough: we’re calling out polluters for greenwashing

As parents committed to a safe climate for our children, we strive to make responsible choices. However, companies like EnergyAustralia have made this challenging by falsely marketing polluting products as ‘carbon neutral’.

In a landmark development, our legal action led to a settlement where EnergyAustralia publicly admitted that carbon offsets do not prevent or undo the harms caused by burning fossil fuels. They have ceased offering their 'Go Neutral' product to new customers and removed related marketing from their website.

This is a significant victory against greenwashing, demonstrating the power of parent-led action.

 This win has put the industry on notice—but we need your help to keep up the pressure. Join us as we fight for honest climate claims, consumer protection, and a future free from fossil fuel spin.

👉 Donate now or get involved to power our next wave of action.

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We held EnergyAustralia to account for greenwashing—and won

Energy giant EnergyAustralia had been marketing electricity and gas from fossil fuels as ‘carbon neutral’, claiming they can ‘offset’ that pollution. But so-called ‘offsets’ are a type of marketing spin that enables companies to continue polluting, without making genuine cuts to their pollution.

It’s our job as parents to stand up for our kids, and to teach them there are consequences for misleading behaviour.

So we took EnergyAustralia to court, arguing that they have engaged in misleading or deceptive conduct. In a successful resolution, we forced EnergyAustralia to admit to the key facts of our case through a powerful public statement and an email to its customers. The company admitted that offsets should not be used to delay or diminish the important work needed to actively decarbonise. This outcome sets a precedent, signaling that misleading climate claims will not go unchallenged

An alliance of energy justice advocates is calling for urgent government intervention to wipe-out the energy debts of struggling households, as new data shows almost 1 in 20 energy consumers cannot cover the full cost of their regular energy bill, as energy companies’ profits continue to soar and the government considers another round of energy bill rebates. Meanwhile, new polling shows the Australian public is fed up with the profiteering of big energy companies and want the Australian government to intervene to lower bills. 

New data from the Australian Energy Regulator, released as part of its annual market report, shows that 

• 336,615 households were in energy debt last year - a slight increase of 1.4% on the previous year

• Almost 1 in 20 of all energy customers are in some form of energy debt. 

• 121,759 households were part of official hardship programs, 39% of them have been in a program for more than 12 months. Of the 150,000 people who exited a hardship program last year 68% were discontinued because they were unable to meet their agreed payment plan and schedule - only 32% had paid off their debt. 

• The average value of a household’s energy debt increased by $219 last year - to $1,367

• While the Federal Government’s rebates provided some relief to hardship customers and those with very small debts at the beginning of the year, these were much less impactful in the second half of the year when debts were higher. 

Advocates say new AER data confirms what households already know: Australia’s energy price crisis continues to rage on, with more and more people struggling to pay their bills pushed into debt while big energy companies rake in billions of dollars in profit. The update comes as the federal government deliberates whether to renew the Energy Bill Relief Fund rebates for a third consecutive year. The Stop the Bill Shock coalition warns that rebates are not a substitute for fixing the system itself, and that energy debt is a political and corporate choice that governments can act on right now.

The report coincides with new national polling that shows about half of Australians blame profit-seeking energy companies for rising energy bills and want the government to take more action to stop bills from rising even further. The national poll, conducted in October, found:

• 46 percent of Australians say profit-seeking by energy companies is the leading reason energy prices keep rising.

• 83 percent of Australians want the federal government to take stronger action to bring bills down and rein in unfair pricing.

Reactive statement from Nic Seton, CEO of Parents for Climate

And quotes from more parents in QLD, NSW and VIC below.

Nic Seton, CEO for Parents for Climate says: “The decision by the Federal Liberal leadership to walk away from Australia’s climate commitments is a failure of responsibility to Australian families. Parents are already dealing with higher food prices, rising insurance costs, dangerous heat and smoke, and growing risks to their children’s health. Scrapping climate action means more pollution, higher bills and more danger for our kids.

“Parents want leadership that protects children from harm. What we have instead is a plan to let global heating run unchecked. That means more extreme heat, rising seas, and more communities hit by floods, smoke and storms. It also means higher power bills because abandoning clean energy keeps families locked into expensive gas and unreliable coal.

“Every day, millions of Australian households prove that clean energy lowers costs. Solar is already saving families three billion dollars a year. The more clean energy we build, the safer and more affordable life becomes. Turning away from that is not only irresponsible, it puts parents under even more pressure at a time when many are already struggling.

“Australian families deserve leaders who take their safety seriously. Treating climate change as a political game fails the people who depend on strong decisions the most, including our children. Parents for Climate is calling on all parties to put families first and deliver the clean energy solutions that protect children, strengthen communities, and lower household costs.

“Parents will not accept leaders who gamble with the safety of their children. We expect better.”

Every child deserves to breathe clean air — to play, learn and grow without pollution harming their lungs or their future.

But right now, air pollution from traffic, gas, and coal is putting our children’s health at risk. From asthma flare-ups to long-term impacts on brain development and heart health, poor air quality is silently damaging the next generation.

Children are more vulnerable. They breathe faster, spend more time outdoors, and their small lungs are still growing. Parents, carers, grandparents and educators across Australia are standing together to say: enough is enough.

We’re calling on all levels of government, federal, state and local, to take urgent action to protect children from air pollution by cleaning up transport, phasing out gas and coal pollution, and taking strong, coordinated steps to make the air around every child cleaner and safer.

Add your name to show your support for clean air for every child, everywhere.

Together, we can create cleaner, healthier communities for our kids - today and for the future.

A new review of Australia’s biggest energy retailers has found more than 1 in 3 at risk of making misleading ‘greenwashing’ claims.

The review was conducted by Parents for Climate following its landmark lawsuit against energy giant, EnergyAustralia, which publicly apologised to over 400,000 customers of its ‘Go Neutral’ home energy product and later withdrew it from the market entirely.

Download the report

Parents for Climate reviewed the risk of greenwashing at 34 major Australian energy retailers by assessing their use of “offsets” and “carbon neutral” claims on their websites. Of those:

• 6 were identified as the “Worst Offenders” who falsely claimed their fossil fuel products to be fully “carbon neutral,” often under the federal Climate Active scheme, and
• 7 were “Cunning Compensators” relying on “offsets” to market fossil fuel products, sometimes with partial disclaimers.

More than just a marketing issue, these practices erode consumer trust, expose companies to legal and reputational risks, and delay urgent climate action, leaving future generations at greater risk of a hotter, more unstable planet.

Nic Seton, CEO of Parents for Climate said, “Greenwashing tricks well-meaning consumers and robs our kids of a safer climate future. And parents are sick of it. 85% of parents we surveyed feel strongly that the government needs to create stricter regulations around sustainability claims. It’s time the Federal Government switched from enabling these misleading claims, to clamping down on dodgy marketing.”

“It beggars belief that so many energy retailers continue to potentially mislead and deceive Australian energy consumers. These 13 companies are using so-called “offsets” as a license to sell polluting energy and they should be held to account. We took EnergyAustralia to court and they got with the program. Now we’re putting the remaining energy retailers on notice: their conduct is at risk of being unlawful under Australian consumer law.” 

In its public apology to the media and its customers in May 2025, EnergyAustralia said, “EnergyAustralia acknowledges that carbon offsetting is not the most effective way to assist customers to reduce their emissions and apologises to any customer who felt that the way it marketed its Go Neutral products was unclear. EnergyAustralia has now shifted its focus to direct emissions reductions.”

As well as demanding more integrity in companies’ product marketing, Parents for Climate is calling on the government to protect consumers, improve transparency and accelerate real climate action by: 

• Banning offset-backed “carbon neutral” claims tied to fossil fuels, as already done under the EU Green Claims Directive.

• Phasing out the Climate Active certification scheme in its current form and replace it with a framework that rewards genuine emissions reductions.
• Requiring clear, plain-language disclosure from energy companies about what offsets can and cannot do.
• Supporting households and businesses to cut emissions directly by incentivising renewable energy, electrification, and storage.

The government’s own National Climate Risk Assessment confirms what parents across Australia already know: climate change is putting our kids and communities in danger.

As parents, we don’t take chances with our kids safety - whether it’s buckling a seatbelt, fitting a car seat, or being sun smart, we act on the best advice. We expect our government to do the same. That means shaping climate policy with science, not politics, and committing to net zero by 2035 with strong pollution cuts this decade. Anything less puts our kids' future at risk.

Not every parent knows this, but when Parents for Climate decided to take legal action against EnergyAustralia, it wasn’t a straightforward or easy decision. It was a leap of courage that came with serious risks—legal, financial, and reputational. Over two years, we've had to think about it from every angle—from how we’d handle personal cost exposure and bankruptcy action plans, to how we’d protect our team and our mission if the worst happened.

Because when you go up against one of Australia’s biggest energy companies—its third-largest climate polluter—you’re not just sending a strongly worded letter. You’re stepping into the ring with a company that has serious resources, lawyers on speed dial, and deep pockets. We had to be sure. We had to be brave. And most importantly—we had to be united as a movement of parents.

And that’s exactly what we were.

This is a Toolkit for Communicators, Campaigners & Legal Advocates, based on the Federal Court case settlement: Parents for Climate v. EnergyAustralia.

Plus gain access to the recording of a special 1-hour online briefing that brought together legal, media, and campaign experts to unpack the impact and implications of the Parents for Climate v. EnergyAustralia greenwashing settlement.

Fill out the download form to get your copy in your 💌 inbox now

The toolkit supports clear, responsible, and legally sound communication about climate claims based on offsetting. 

It sets out:

1. a summary of the settlement
2. issues with marketing based on offsetting and ‘carbon neutral’ language; and
3. what companies should and shouldn’t say to avoid greenwashing.

It helps you avoid greenwashing and build public trust.

19 May 2025, Sydney - In a landmark greenwashing legal case brought by Parents for Climate, EnergyAustralia has publicly acknowledged that offsets do not undo the harms of burning fossil fuels and apologised to more than 400,000 customers of its ‘Go Neutral’ carbon offsetting product. 

Parents for Climate welcomes this acknowledgement and apology from EnergyAustralia, marking a major win.  It is the first legal case of its kind in the country to protect the public from “carbon neutral” greenwashing. 

The settlement is a groundbreaking resolution to this historic legal action, and represents a significant step forward in holding companies accountable for environmental claims.

Parents for Climate CEO, Nic Seton, and Equity Generation Lawyers Principal Lawyer, David Hertzberg outside the court

You’ve taken the #VoteLikeAParent pledge — now help spread the word by updating your profile picture with a custom overlay.

It’s a simple act with big impact. When other parents see you speaking up, they’re more likely to join too.

Together, we can make this election a turning point for our kids.

➡️ Upload your photo to one of the many tempates below get started.

Build A Ballot, a new tool designed to empower voters, particularly young and climate-conscious individuals.

Developed by Project Planet, it helps users identify which local candidates align with their values on critical issues like renewables, climate action, housing, and education.

✨ What is Build-a-Ballot?

Build-a-Ballot is a quick, non-partisan tool from our friends at Project Planet. It helps you make sense of your voting options - based on your values.

✅ Takes less than 2 minutes
✅ No parties or slogans — just your values
✅ Helps you create your own personalised voting plan
✅ Easy to share with other parents, friends and family 

Share this with more parents  try it for yourself - build-a-ballot

It’s about voting like a parent — because their future is on the ballot.

Now let's get this into the hands of as many people as we can 🙌

Scroll through the sharing content options below, find one that resonates with you, and click through to share to your networks.

SPLIT

Quick FAQ for Parents

Q: Is this tool biased or linked to a political party?

A: No - Build-a-Ballot is strictly non-partisan. It matches your values to policies, not parties.

Q: Is this just for younger voters or progressive parents?

A: It’s for anyone who wants to understand their choices - without the spin.

Q: What happens with my data?

A: Your information is secure and only used to send you your voting plan.

Q: I’ve already decided how I’ll vote - should I still do it?

A: Yes! It might affirm your choice - or surprise you. Either way, it’s great to share with others.

Q: What if I’m still unsure after using it?

A: The tool links to more info so you can do your own research - and build a personalised plan.

Q: Who’s behind Build-A-Ballot?

A: Build a Ballot is a project by Project Planet Inc. We’re a small charity focused on helping Australians better understand climate change, and find themselves in the solutions.

More unanswered questions go HERE to access more FAQ.

Q: Is this tool biased or linked to a political party?

A: No - Build-a-Ballot is strictly non-partisan. It matches your values to policies, not parties.

Q: Is this just for younger voters or progressive parents?

A: It’s for anyone who wants to understand their choices - without the spin.

Q: What happens with my data?

A: Your information is secure and only used to send you your voting plan.

Q: I’ve already decided how I’ll vote - should I still do it?

A: Yes! It might affirm your choice - or surprise you. Either way, it’s great to share with others.

Q: What if I’m still unsure after using it?

A: The tool links to more info so you can do your own research - and build a personalised plan.

Q: Who’s behind Build-A-Ballot?

A: Build a Ballot is a project by Project Planet Inc. We’re a small charity focused on helping Australians better understand climate change, and find themselves in the solutions.

More unanswered questions go HERE to access more FAQ.

Parents across the country are celebrating the Federal Government’s landmark battery rebate announcement, calling it the “missing link” in unlocking cheaper power bills, climate security, and energy independence for families and small businesses.

The new policy will deliver a 30 per cent discount off the up-front cost of installing home batteries, saving families up to a further $1,100-2,300 a year, on top of existing solar savings and state-based incentives, from July 1. Batteries allow families to store solar energy and use it at night making this investment a game-changer for the one in three households already generating clean, cheap electricity from their rooftops.

On February 10th, 2025, Independent MP Dr. Sophie Scamps introduced the Wellbeing of Future Generations Bill to the Australian Parliament - an historic step toward making sure our leaders consider the long-term impact of their decisions on the generations to come.

This Bill gives us a powerful opportunity to shift politics from short-term thinking to long-term solutions - on climate, health, cost of living, education, and more. It’s common-sense, cross-party, and urgently needed.

As parents and carers, we know what it means to plan for the future. It’s time our governments did the same.

What the Bill will do:

Order your free yard sign >>

You’ve pledged to vote for your kids’ future — now help spread the message where it matters most: right outside your front door.

By displaying a yard sign, you’re:

✅ Sparking local conversations
✅ Showing candidates that parents care
✅ Encouraging others to take a stand for climate action

Let’s fill our neighbourhoods with hope, love, and climate courage — one yard at a time.

👉 Order your free sign here

We’ll post it to you for free. Numbers are limited, so get in early.

🪧 Get Your Free “No New Coal and Gas” Yard Sign

Join thousands of parents raising their voices for a safe climate future.

Displaying a yard sign is a simple, powerful way to show your support for action on climate — starting with a clear message:
No new coal or gas. Our kids deserve better.

Whether it’s in your front yard, fence, window or balcony, your sign helps start conversations, inspire neighbours, and show decision-makers that families care.

👉 Order your free yard sign now >>

💡 About the signs:

Get this sign: “Protect Our Family: No New Coal or Gas"

Printed on weatherproof corflute 

We’ll post it to you for free — but supplies are limited, so get in early.

You can put this sign on your lawn, window or balcony

Optional: chip in to help us send more signs across the country

👋 Who we are

Parents for Climate is a community of mums, dads, carers and grandparents working together to protect our kids from climate change. We’re non-partisan, solutions-focused, and united by one thing: love for our children and a determination to give them a safe, liveable future.

This yard sign campaign is part of our Protect What You Love campaign — helping parents use their voices to push for strong climate leadership this election.

🕊️ Let’s make it clear: no new coal or gas — for the sake of our kids.

👉 Order your sign today >>

By displaying a yard sign, you’re:

✅ Sparking local conversations
✅ Showing candidates that parents care
✅ Encouraging others to take a stand for climate action

Let’s fill our neighbourhoods with hope, love, and climate courage — one yard at a time.

It's easy to build a constructive relationship with your political representatives - just follow these steps.

The most effective method to get on the radar of your Member of Parliament (MP) is to meet with them. It is part of their job to meet with constituents (you!) and take your concerns to the government. You have every right to simply phone their office and ask for an appointment.

Your Number #1 Goal - is to develop a positive and constructive long term relationship with your local MP. Play the long game. Change is created through constant, consistent actions over time!

Organising the Meeting

• Phone, email or drop in to your MP’s office and ask to make an appointment to meet with them. State what you want to discuss.
  • If you keep getting knock backs, ask to speak with their advisor.
  • To find your MP’s details, use the official links, or if in doubt, use google.
• If at first you don’t succeed, politely persist, persist, persist, persist and persist.
• Once you get an appointment (it may be some time away), find one or more fellow constituents to join you and increase the perception that “we are many”.
• Please update the Parents for Climate staff team about your appointment and any requests for support - [email protected]

Preparation

• Prepare a few dot points about what you want to say just so you feel more confident. You don’t need to do lots of research and be an expert!
  • Have clear messages and asks
  • Cover 2-3 issues max. Assume you have 30 minutes - time goes fast!
  • Research the background of the MP: what bills/policies have they supported or blocked (https://theyvoteforyou.org.au )? What do they stand for? Do they have children? What are their interests?
  • Prepare a 1-2 page summary (include graphs/ photos if relevant)
    
    • Add talking notes for your reference.
  • Ensure to include a key ask of your MP. Examples include:
    • Speak to a minister on your behalf.
    • Ask a question in parliament at question time.
    • Make a speech in parliament.
    • Lobby their colleagues in caucus.
    • Organise an electorate town hall with a minister.
    • Introduce you to someone who can help.
    • Pledge to support a policy.
    • Get their local party branch to support a policy.
• Share the essential points of your proposed agenda with your MP or their contact person to let them know you have a constructive and focussed agenda they can prepare for.

In the Meeting

• When you attend the meeting, be polite, courteous and calm. Strong disagreement can embed opposition and undermine long-term constructive potential for relationships to develop, and for politicians to shift their position. Getting upset can alienate them to your cause. Speak from the heart about your children’s future and your concerns about climate change. If the MP has children you could connect with them about this.
• Make notes of what he or she tells you - this is useful to share with others and to hold them accountable for what they say.
• Make notes of what they ask of you, or what support they are looking for in terms of information or their areas of special interest. Make sure you then follow up with them to provide useful information. This increases our impact on their thinking.
• Ask for permission to take and share a photo (or screenshot) with the MP.
• Send your photo to the staff team at Parents for Climate to promote on national channels, like our Facebook page after the meeting! facebook.com/parentsforclimate
• Share the image with the MP or their team for their own use in promoting your meeting (and your agenda)

Post Meeting

• Inform the Parents for Climate staff team about the meeting, topics covered and any outcomes that may be of interest to our national political strategy. Your feedback can help us improve our strategy and help us map our impact. [email protected]
• Follow up with an email summary of the meeting including the discussion and ask. Agree on a timeline for them to respond or action your ‘Meeting Ask’
• Work with the staff team at Parents for Climate to follow up on any areas of special interest or requests for support, or further information that we can provide the MP or their team, to further develop support for our agenda

Check out our How to Lobby Your MP page here for more resources