European airlines are using misleading claims to make flying seem less problematic for the climate, according to EU Consumer Network CPC who want to see action.
Last year, members of the European consumer organisation BEUC reported 17 airlines, including SAS, for ”greenwashing”.
The CPC has expanded its review to 20 airlines, where it has identified potentially misleading claims. These include false impressions of the effects of climate offsetting, unverified net-zero targets, and the liberal use of terms such as ”sustainable,” ”responsible,” and other implicitly green claims.
Travellers ”deserve accurate and scientific answers, not vague or false claims”, says EU Values and Transparency Commissioner Vera Jourová.
Companies are urged to ensure within 30 days that their marketing does not contravene EU consumer legislation. Otherwise, the CPC may take action, including sanctions.
”Aviation is one of the industries with the largest emissions. It is therefore particularly serious that airlines are engaging in greenwashing. We are now assuming that they will do as the authorities demand and improve their practices,” says Johanna Hållén, secretary-general of Sveriges konsumenter (Consumers of Sweden), one of the organisations behind the report.
Source: TT-DI.SE
