Nemes, N., Scanlan, S.J., Smith, P. et al. (7 more authors) (2022) An Integrated Framework to Assess Greenwashing. Sustainability, 14 (8). 4431. ISSN 2071-1050
Abstract
In this paper we examine definitions of ‘greenwashing’ and its different forms, developing a tool for assessing diverse ‘green’ claims made by various actors. Research shows that significant deception and misleading claims exist both in the regulated commercial sphere, as well as in the unregulated non-commercial sphere (e.g., governments, NGO partnerships, international pledges, etc.). Recently, serious concerns have been raised over rampant greenwashing, in particular with regard to rapidly emerging net zero commitments. The proposed framework we developed is the first actionable tool for analysing the quality and truthfulness of such claims. The framework has widespread and unique potential for highlighting efforts that seek to delay or distract real solutions that are urgently needed today to tackle multiple climate and environmental crises. In addition, we note how the framework may also assist in the development of practices and communication strategies that ultimately avoid greenwashing.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). |
Keywords: | green claims; greenwashing; greenwashing framework; misleading/deceptive environmental communication; net zero; public relations; selective disclosure; sustainability; transparency |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Environment (Leeds) > School of Geography (Leeds) > Ecology & Global Change (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 15 Jul 2024 12:14 |
Last Modified: | 15 Jul 2024 12:14 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | MDPI |
Identification Number: | 10.3390/su14084431 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:214726 |