Issue #117: Substance over style

4 mins read

Our Top Stories

A food labelling spaghetti: A report by the European Court of Auditors (ECA) looks at how the lack of updates to the EU food labelling framework has led to a confusing proliferation of voluntary schemes, making it harder for people to make more sustainable choices. Despite this “label chaos”, many brands are advancing with effective climate communication campaigns that use the data behind eco-labels to resonate strongly with consumers, signalling a shift toward clearer and more impactful messaging. [Euronews]


Avoiding ambiguity: Danone has won its legal battle over the "carbon neutral" label on its Evian bottles after a U.S. judge ruled the term was ambiguous but not misleading enough to proceed with a class-action lawsuit. While this ruling provides temporary relief for the consumer goods giant, it highlights growing scrutiny over corporate environmental claims. As fears of greenwashing rise, buzzwords and sustainability jargon are increasingly landing brands in hot water. Instead, by telling a clear, transparent story about its product, companies can make accurate claims while building trust and deeper connections with consumers. [Lawyer Monthly]

Business Spotlight - Waitrose

The UK supermarket giant Waitrose has released its 2024-2025 Food & Drink Report, highlighting the latest food trends and wider shifts in consumption. The research notes that the focus on healthy eating is expanding beyond our own wellness to the community and the environment. This was backed up by findings that 59% of respondents said they were more likely to buy a product if it had sustainable credentials. With a more diverse range of purpose-driven brands now looking to protect the plant as well as profits, consumers are increasing their expenditure within the sector to match their desire to make environmentally conscious choices. [Waitrose]

About Vela

At Vela, we make better choices feel effortless.

Since day one, we’ve been building tools that reward you for living well — for your health, your wallet, and the planet.

Whether it’s tracking everyday spending, earning points for healthier shops, or unlocking rewards you actually want, Vela turns intention into action. Because most people care. They just need it to fit into real life.

We don’t believe sustainability should feel like sacrifice.

Our goal is simple: remove the trade-offs. Make climate-positive living practical. Make healthy habits rewarding. Make doing better feel worth it.

We’re here to spark a shift in everyday behaviour — one shop, one choice, one reward at a time.