Definition and Overview
- Westerveld, J. (1986). Essay on the environmental messaging of the hospitality industry. (Original coining of the term “greenwashing”).
- TerraChoice Environmental Marketing Inc. (2010). The Sins of Greenwashing: Home and Family Edition. https://sinsofgreenwashing.com/
- Delmas, M. A., & Burbano, V. C. (2011). The drivers of greenwashing. California Management Review, 54(1), 64-87. https://doi.org/10.1525/cmr.2011.54.1.64
- Lyon, T. P., & Montgomery, A. W. (2015). The means and end of greenwash. Organization & Environment, 28(2), 223-249. https://doi.org/10.1177/1086026615575332
- U.S. Federal Trade Commission. (2012). Guides for the use of environmental marketing claims (Green Guides). https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/topics/truth-advertising/green-guides
- International Organization for Standardization. (2021). ISO 14021: Environmental labels and declarations-Self-declared environmental claims (Type II environmental labelling). https://www.iso.org/standard/66652.html
- GRI (Global Reporting Initiative). (2024). Sustainability Reporting Standards. https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/
- Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures. (2024). TCFD Recommendations. https://www.fsb-tcfd.org/recommendations/
- International Sustainability Standards Board. (2024). IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards. https://www.ifrs.org/issb/
Regulation and Oversight
- Federal Trade Commission. (2012). Guides for the use of environmental marketing claims (Green Guides). 16 C.F.R. Part 260. https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/rules/green-guides
- European Parliament & Council. (2005). Directive 2005/29/EC concerning unfair business-to-consumer commercial practices in the internal market (Unfair Commercial Practices Directive). https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32005L0029
- European Commission. (2023). Proposal for a Directive on substantiation and communication of explicit environmental claims (Green Claims Directive). https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_1661
- Baker McKenzie. (2024). Greenwashing: Legal risks and regulatory trends in the United States and European Union. https://www.bakermckenzie.com/en/insight/publications/2024/01/greenwashing-legal-risks
- NielsenIQ. (2023). The changing face of green: Trust and skepticism in sustainability claims. https://nielseniq.com/global/en/insights/analysis/2023/the-changing-face-of-green/
- PwC. (2024). ESG trust barometer: Consumer attitudes and greenwashing risk. https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/services/sustainability/publications/esg-trust-barometer.html
Greenwashing in Practice
- Federal Trade Commission. (2012). Guides for the use of environmental marketing claims (Green Guides). 16 C.F.R. Part 260. https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/rules/green-guides
- TerraChoice Environmental Marketing Inc. (2010). The sins of greenwashing: Home and family edition. https://sinsofgreenwashing.com/
- United States Department of Justice. (2017). Volkswagen AG Agrees to Plead Guilty and Pay $4.3 Billion in Criminal and Civil Penalties; Six Volkswagen Executives and Employees Indicted in Connection with Conspiracy to Cheat U.S. Emissions Tests. https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/volkswagen-ag-agrees-plead-guilty-and-pay-43-billion-criminal-and-civil-penalties-six
- Norwegian Consumer Authority. (2022). Norwegian Consumer Authority's assessment of H&M's 'Conscious' collection. https://www.forbrukertilsynet.no/english
- Greenpeace. (2010). Chevron’s greenwashing campaign exposed. https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/news/chevrons-greenwashing-campaign-exposed/
- Carrington, D. (2015, September 23). Volkswagen: The scandal explained. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/sep/23/volkswagen-the-scandal-explained
- The New York Times. (2022, July 5). H&M is under investigation for greenwashing in Norway. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/05/business/hm-greenwashing-norway.html
Global Regulatory Actions and Enforcement on Greenwashing
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. (2024). SEC finalizes rules to enhance and standardize climate-related disclosures for investors [Press release]. https://www.sec.gov/news/press-release/2024-33
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. (2022). SEC charges Keurig Dr Pepper for misleading environmental claims. https://www.sec.gov/news/press-release/2022-146
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. (2023). SEC charges WisdomTree Asset Management with ESG disclosure failures. https://www.sec.gov/news/press-release/2023-187
- New York State Office of the Attorney General. (2022). Attorney General James Sues Companies for Greenwashing Practices. https://ag.ny.gov/press-release
- European Commission. (2024). Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive (EmpCo Directive). https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/law-topic/consumer-protection-law/empowering-consumers-green-transition_en
- European Commission. (2023). Green Claims Directive: New rules to stop greenwashing and protect consumers. https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_23_1682
- UK Financial Conduct Authority. (2024). Anti-greenwashing rule comes into force. https://www.fca.org.uk/news/statements/anti-greenwashing-rule-comes-into-force
- UK Competition and Markets Authority. (2024). Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 [Guidance and powers]. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/competition-and-markets-authority-guidance
- Australian Securities & Investments Commission. (2024). ASIC imposes $12.9m penalty on investment firm for greenwashing. https://asic.gov.au/about-asic/news-centre/news-items/asic-imposes-12-9m-penalty-on-investment-firm-for-greenwashing/
- ASIC. (2024, September). Vanguard Investments Australia penalised for greenwashing. https://asic.gov.au/about-asic/news-centre/find-a-media-release/2024-releases/24-274mr-vanguard-investments-australia-penalised-for-greenwashing/
- Government of Canada. (2024). Competition Act amendments: Greenwashing provisions. https://www.competitionbureau.gc.ca/eic/site/cb-bc.nsf/eng/04624.html
- Bundesverfassungsgericht [Federal Constitutional Court]. (2024, June). Klimaneutralität und Werbeaussagen: Urteil vom Juni 2024 [Climate neutrality and advertising statements: June 2024 ruling]. https://www.bundesverfassungsgericht.de
- Norwegian Consumer Authority. (2024). Guidelines on environmental claims in marketing of cars. https://www.forbrukertilsynet.no/english/guidance/environmental-claims
- South African Advertising Regulatory Board. (2024). TotalEnergies SANParks campaign ruling: ARB finds campaign misleading. https://arb.org.za/rulings/2024/totalenergies-sanparks-greenwashing-decision