greenwashing

[green-wosh-ing, -waw-shing]

noun

1. an instance or practice of promoting or affiliating a brand, campaign, mission, etc., with environmentalism as a ploy to divert attention from policies and activities that are in fact antienvironmentalist.

   Car manufacturers have gone all-in on this greenwashing of fuel efficiency standards.

Word History and Origins

Origin of greenwashing¹

First recorded in 1985–90; greenwash ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

Some observers, such as campaigner Greta Thunberg, have accused previous COPs of "greenwashing" - letting countries and businesses promote their climate credentials without actually making the changes needed.

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Supporters of the legislation say it discourages corporate greenwashing, or marketing that falsely portrays a company’s efforts to reduce climate-warming emissions.

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Whether for or against Total, the ruling could have far-reaching impacts given the limited legal precedents so far with regards to greenwashing claims by fossil fuel giants.

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The plaintiffs took that legal route as "greenwashing" -- or the act of claiming to be more environmentally responsible than in reality -- is not specifically covered under French law.

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Environmental group River Action, which brought the complaint in 2023, said the ruling showed the scheme was "greenwashing" and urged supermarkets to stop using it.

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