Here is a list of issues I think you are referring to. This list is just to get the ball rolling, I am sure there are loads I have missed:
Consumer Ethical Differentiators:
Environmentally Friendly (Carbon by far the biggest problem)
-Reduced carbon emissions
-Carbon offsetting
-Renewable sources (eg tree planting scheme)
-Reduced Pesticides
-Reduced CFCs (Ozone)
-Reduced lead content
Ethical Trading/Human Right
-Fair Trade schemes
-Not trading with corrupt regimes
Animal Protection
-Farm the seas sustainably
-Do not farm in such away as to harm endangered species
-Do not source endangered species (eg Gordon Ramsey blue fin tuna)
Treating Staff Well
-Good conditions for staff
-Above minimum wage for low paid staff
-Union friendly
Local Community Relations
Relations with local schools
Discuss projects impacting community with the community
Vouchers for School computers (Tesco)
All the above can be sold as ethical shopping although the ones higher up in the list are probably more readily associated with ethical shopping.
It should be noted that companies can make a lot of money by differentiating themselves as ethical. For instance it's estimated that only about 10% of the higher price charged for fair trade coffee actually goes to the poor farmer, while the other 90% is kept by the large branded buyer. This in itself is highly unethical, even though it is fair trade coffee. But then again the farmer is getting paid more in absolute terms so it's not that clear cut...
Someone else will have to add the pressure groups.
