greenwashing

1 of 2

noun

green·​wash·​ing ˈgrēn-ˌwȯ-shiŋ 

-ˌwä-

: the act or practice of making a product, policy, activity, etc. appear to be more environmentally friendly or less environmentally damaging than it really is

… is among the firms that have been sued for greenwashing, accused of undermining a biodiesel project while attempting to enhance its green cred.

—Richard Stengel

The practice of greenwashing appears more common as firms attempt to better position themselves in a global marketplace growing more concerned with corporate sustainability.

—Timothy W. Aurand et al.

Such complaints have led to a marketing mishmash, with some labels reflecting products that have been reformulated for the better and others doing little more than greenwashing.

—Bonnie Rochman

greenwashing

2 of 2

present participle of greenwash

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Here, exclusively for Forbes, Lonely Planet’s executive editor, Nitya Chambers reveals her top tips for ethical travel and untangles some of the greenwashing jargon: The issues around green travel can be confusing, so – put simply – what does travelling sustainably mean to you? —Angelina Villa-clarke, Forbes, 4 May 2023

Can California put an end to corporate greenwashing? —Laurel Rosenhall, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2023

John Glen, economic secretary to the Treasury, said the requirement would help tackle greenwashing — the practice of giving false impressions about a company's climate credentials -— and enable investors and businesses to operate within the bounds of the country's net zero commitments. —Walé Azeez, CNN, 29 Oct. 2021

Having spent time in London, Rio de Janeiro, and Tokyo in the run-up to the 2012, 2016, and 2020 Games, respectively, Boykoff noted that many of the issues seen in the Olympics—including internal displacement, corruption, and greenwashing—travel with the Games. —Yasmeen Serhan, The Atlantic, 7 Aug. 2021

The idea, says the vessel’s science officer on this voyage, Daphné Buiron, is to make the process transparent and minimize the appearance of greenwashing. —Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 23 Apr. 2023

Government officials, corporate titans, academics, and activists attended dozens of panel sessions Wednesday on topics covering the metaverse, environmental greenwashing, and artificial intelligence. —Jamey Keaten, The Christian Science Monitor, 19 Jan. 2023

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) and the bloc's banking and insurance watchdogs have sought industry views on legally defining greenwashing. —Fox News, 17 Jan. 2023

The Biden administration is talking about taking more action to crack down on greenwashing, including creating new climate change units at financial agencies like the Treasury Department, Federal Reserve, Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission. —Stephanie Ebbs, ABC News, 8 Apr. 2021

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Word History

Etymology

Noun

greenwash entry 1 + -ing entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1989, in the meaning defined above