Corporate Shaming: The 2014 Public Eye Awards

The Public Eye Awards for 2014 goes to Russian oil giant Gazprom and the Gap for their dismal records in social and environmental responsibility. Over 280’000 people cast their vote for the shameful practices of Gazprom. Voting for the dubious honor took place between November 26, 2013 and January 22, 2014. An independent jury awarded the other award of shame, the Public Eye Jury Award, to Gap.


At least twelve clothing companies have heeded Greenpeace
demands and reduce their environmental impacts. These companies include Mango, Esprit, Nike, H&M, Adidas, Puma, M&S, C&A, Li-Ning, Zara and Levi’s. For its part, the Gap has thus far refused to follow suit.

As explained on the the Public Eye website:

“The Public Eye sheds a critical light on irresponsible business practices and provides a platform to publicly criticize cases of human and labor rights violations, environmental destruction or corruption. The date and location of the Public Eye Awards are set deliberately to coincide with the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum. Those hiding behind closed doors in Davos allegedly to solve the world’s problems often contribute to environmental destruction and human rights violations themselves. The Public Eye Awards remind the corporate world that the social and environmental consequences of their business practices affect not only people and the environment, but also the reputation of the company.”

“The Public Eye Awards aim to contribute to the overarching goal of social and ecological justice and demonstrate the necessity of effective and legally binding measures on a national and international level. Corporations need to be held accountable for their irresponsible business practices in their home state – no matter where these wrong-doings occur.”