Greenwashing is a deceptive practice where companies present themselves as environmentally responsible, often exaggerating or fabricating their eco-friendly initiatives to appeal to conscious consumers.
This can involve using vague terms like “eco-friendly” or “natural” without specific evidence, hiding the environmental impact of their larger operations, or creating misleading eco-labels. Greenwashing obscures the true sustainability of products or practices, making it difficult for consumers to distinguish between genuinely green brands and those merely capitalizing on the trend.
The February 2023 Circular defines greenwashing to mean “making false, misleading, unsubstantiated, or otherwise incomplete claims about the sustainability of a product, service, or business operation”.
Subjects in this piece
Where this comes up.
Videos, writing and market activity on the same subject, in ESG & Sustainability.
ESG under Scrutiny | Litigation, Liability and Enforcement Risk
Redefining Sustainability Benchmarks: Indian Corporations and the Path to ESG Leadership
Greenwashing Decoded: Navigating Sustainability Claims and Consumer Trust
Navigating the Green Frontier: Nawneet Vibhaw on Environmental Law and Corporate Responsibility
The Green Mirage: Understanding and Combatting Greenwashing in India
