Editorial & Standards Policy
Our commitment to independent ESG verification, anti-greenwashing standards, and transparency.
1. Mission & Independence
The STEP ESG & Green Building Tech Marketplace exists to help sustainability professionals, investors, enterprise buyers, and organizations make better-informed decisions about ESG technologies. Our marketplace serves as a trusted, curated directory — not a promotional platform.
Our editorial standards are guided by the following principles:
Independence
Our listing criteria, STEP Stars rating methodology, and content curation are independent of commercial relationships. No technology provider can purchase a higher rating, manipulate search rankings through payment, or influence editorial decisions about their listing.
Accuracy
All tool listings are reviewed for completeness and factual accuracy before approval. We verify that claimed certifications, compliance standards, and ESG metrics are substantiated with evidence.
Transparency
We clearly disclose sponsored placements, distinguish between organic and promoted listings, and provide full visibility into our rating methodology through the STEP Stars certification page.
2. STEP Stars Rating Framework
The STEP Stars rating system is our proprietary verification framework, developed in partnership with EmiratesGBC (Emirates Green Building Council), to evaluate and classify ESG technologies based on rigorous sustainability criteria.
| Rating | Level | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| ★ | 1 Star | Innovation & Potential — The technology shows promising ESG value but has limited verified deployment. |
| ★★ | 2 Stars | Proven & Verified — Demonstrated impact with documented evidence and third-party validation. |
| ★★★ | 3 Stars | Industry Leader — Best-in-class technology with comprehensive ESG coverage and global deployment. |
Ratings are assigned through an independent audit process and are subject to periodic re-evaluation. Technology providers cannot purchase or negotiate a STEP Stars rating. The full methodology is available on our Certification page.
3. Sponsored Placements vs. Organic Listings
STEP clearly distinguishes between organic listings and sponsored placements:
Organic Listings
- Submitted by technology providers through the standard process.
- Reviewed and approved by the STEP editorial and admin team.
- Ranked based on relevance, rating, and user engagement — not payment.
- All organic listings follow the same approval criteria.
Sponsored Placements
- Clearly labeled with a "Sponsored" or "Ad" badge visible to all users.
- May receive premium positioning (e.g., header logo sponsorship, featured banners).
- Sponsored status does not influence STEP Stars ratings or editorial reviews.
- Subject to the same accuracy and anti-greenwashing standards as organic listings.
4. Anti-Greenwashing & Data Integrity
STEP has a zero-tolerance policy for greenwashing. We define greenwashing as making unsubstantiated, exaggerated, or deceptive claims about the environmental or social impact of a technology, product, or service.
Our approach to maintaining data integrity includes:
- Manual review of all tool submissions by our editorial team before publication.
- Verification of claimed certifications (e.g., LEED, BREEAM, WELL, ISO 14001) against public registries where available.
- Cross-referencing ESG metrics and environmental evidence with third-party data sources.
- Active monitoring and community-based flagging mechanisms for questionable claims.
- Escalation of suspected greenwashing to our verification partners for independent assessment.
Consequences: Listings found to contain false or misleading ESG claims will be flagged, suspended, or permanently removed. Repeat offenders will be banned from the Platform.
5. Corrections & Dispute Resolution
We are committed to accuracy and fairness. If you believe any information on the Platform is incorrect, misleading, or unfair, we encourage you to contact us:
Factual Corrections
If you are a technology provider and believe your listing contains inaccurate information added by our team, you may submit a correction request through your Dashboard or by contacting our support team.
Rating Disputes
If you disagree with your STEP Stars rating, you may request a formal review. Rating disputes are handled through a structured appeals process involving our verification partners. The final decision rests with the independent assessment panel.
User Reports
Any user can report a listing they believe contains misleading claims. Reports are reviewed within 5 business days, and appropriate action is taken in accordance with our anti-greenwashing policy.
For all editorial inquiries, corrections, or disputes, please contact us at contact@hauteinnova.com.