In recent news, twenty airlines, including Brussels Airlines, have been reprimanded by the European Commission and national consumer authorities for making misleading greenwashing claims. These airlines have been given 30 days to comply with European consumer law or face sanctions.
Last year, over twenty European consumer organizations filed a complaint against seventeen airlines, including those in the Lufthansa group, Air France, KLM, and Ryanair, for greenwashing. The complaint was submitted to the European Commission and the Network of EU National Consumer Authorities.
Greenwashing involves companies making unfounded environmental claims to appear more environmentally friendly than they actually are, misleading consumers and posing risks to the environment. The European Commission and CPC Network found potentially misleading claims on airline websites related to CO2 emissions compensation and the use of “sustainable aviation fuel.”
The use of terms such as green, sustainable, and responsible, as well as green imagery, is used to create a false impression of environmental friendliness. Airlines use dubious CO2 calculators and comparison methods to mislead consumers about the environmental impact of aviation.
The airlines have been notified of the misleading claims and have 30 days to propose solutions to address the concerns raised by CPC authorities. Failure to comply may result in sanctions being imposed on the airlines.
Overall, greenwashing in the aviation industry poses significant risks to both the environment and society. It is essential for airlines to provide accurate and transparent information to consumers to make informed decisions about their environmental impact.
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