Unmasking the green deception: how perceptionware misleads us

Perceptionware refers to technology designed to create an illusion of environmental action, often misleading the public. For instance, oil companies have claimed benefits from carbon trapped in rocks, while the UK government previously pledged £20 billion for carbon capture and storage, a technology that has seen little progress over 50 years. ExxonMobil has promoted a carbon capture scheme at its Hampshire refinery, yet has not secured necessary licenses or investments, merely using the initiative to sidestep regulatory measures. The previous UK government candidly acknowledged that their plans aimed to avoid flight rationing, while the current government has continued this trend, suggesting that the aviation sector can achieve net-zero emissions through efficiency and cleaner fuels. This assertion has been criticized as overly optimistic and misleading. Biodiesel production, initially intended to utilize used cooking oil, has shifted to fresh palm oil as production scales up, leading to competition for limited waste resources. This has resulted in fresh palm oil being misrepresented as waste oil to secure higher carbon payments, highlighting the complexities and ethical concerns surrounding biofuel production. The government anticipates that only 3.5% of jet fuel in the UK will be derived from these methods by 2040, indicating the limited impact of such initiatives. The new Labour government is urged to adopt more effective strategies to combat environmental issues rather than relying on costly and ineffective technologies.