Search Results for: Greenwash

Decrease in greenwashing for first time in six years

Stuart Mitchell

New research from RepRisk, a global leader in ESG data technology, shows a 12% decrease in greenwashing risk globally across all sectors during the year ending in June 2024. This is the first such decrease in six years. RepRisk’s third annual greenwashing report finds this is likely the result of increased regulatory measures and companies engaging in greenhushing out of fear of pushback from stakeholders, especially consumers, investors, and regulators. While the prevalence of incidents has fallen, the number of severe greenwashing cases has increased by 30%, indicating there is…

Ryanair, Delta, Lufthansa, Easyjet among 71 airlines warned over potential greenwashing

Stuart Mitchell

Environmental groups have warned 71 airlines operating out of Schiphol airport that they must respect the greenwashing limits clarified by the legal precedent-setting Dutch Court ruling against KLM in March this year. ClientEarth, Fossielvrij and Reclame Fossielvrij have sent a legal letter warning that airlines should not promote common industry claims about ‘sustainable aviation fuels’, ‘offsetting’ and ‘net zero by 2050’ as they are likely to be unlawful. In March this year advertising by KLM promoting similar statements was found by the District Court of Amsterdam to have broken EU consumer…

Commission and national consumer protection authorities starts action against 20 airlines for misleading greenwashing practices

Stuart Mitchell

Following an alert from the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC), the European Commission and EU consumer authorities (Network of Consumer Protection Cooperation – CPC – Authorities) sent letters to 20 airlines identifying several types of potentially misleading green claims and inviting them to bring their practices in line with EU consumer law within 30 days. The CPC network, led by the Belgian Directorate General for Economic Inspection, the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets, the Norwegian Consumer Authority and the Spanish Directorate General of Consumer Affairs, focused on claims made by…

FCA confirms anti-greenwashing guidance and proposes extending sustainability framework

Stuart Mitchell

Ahead of the anti-greenwashing rule coming into force on 31 May, the FCA is supporting industry with guidance to help them meet the standard. The new rule is designed to protect consumers by ensuring sustainable products and services they are sold are accurately described. Results from the latest Financial Lives survey shows significant consumer interest in sustainable finance as 81% of adults surveyed would like their investments to do some good as well as provide a financial return. This work supports the long-term growth and competitiveness of the sector by helping businesses…

MEPs adopt new law banning greenwashing and misleading product information

Stuart Mitchell

The European Parliament has given its final green light to a directive that will improve product labelling and ban the use of misleading environmental claims. The directive adopted today with 593 votes in favour, 21 against and 14 abstentions seeks to protect consumers from misleading marketing practices and help them make better purchasing choices. To achieve this, a number of problematic marketing habits related to greenwashing and the early obsolescence of goods will be added to the EU list of banned commercial practices. More accurate and reliable advertising Most importantly,…