What does "greenwashing" entail?

Greenwashing refers to the practice where organizations present a false impression or provide misleading information about their environmental practices. This is often done through marketing campaigns that exaggerate or falsely portray a company's commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. The intention behind greenwashing is typically to appeal to consumers who are conscious of environmental issues, thereby enhancing the company’s public image, even if their actual business practices do not align with the environmentally friendly claims being made.

This phenomenon can take various forms, such as promoting minor sustainable initiatives while neglecting more harmful aspects of business operations, or simply using buzzwords related to sustainability without implementing meaningful changes. While the goal of real sustainable practices is to contribute positively to the environment, greenwashing undermines authentic efforts by obscuring the truth and misleading consumers.