EU, watchdogs start action against airlines over greenwashing

The European Commission and national consumer protection authorities have started action against 20 airlines for misleading greenwashing practices, the EU said in a statement on Tuesday. Although the statement said the EU had worked together with Belgian, Dutch, Norwegian and Spanish watchdogs, a spokesperson said the names of the airlines will not be disclosed at this stage as they are at a preliminary stage of the investigation.

The European Commission and national consumer protection authorities have started action against 20 airlines for misleading greenwashing practices, the EU said in a statement on Tuesday.

Although the statement said the EU had worked together with Belgian, Dutch, Norwegian and Spanish watchdogs, a spokesperson said the names of the airlines will not be disclosed at this stage as they are at a preliminary stage of the investigation. The EU said airlines needed to make clear to what extend claims that the CO2 emissions caused by a flight could be offset by climate projects or through the use of sustainable fuels can be substantiated based on sound scientific evidence.

"If we want responsible consumers, we need to provide them with accurate information ... They deserve accurate and scientific answers, not vague or false claims," EU Commissioner for Values and Transparency Vera Jourova said in a statement. A Dutch court

last month ruled that KLM had misled customers with an advertising campaign aimed at improving the company's environmental image, in a case of so-called "greenwashing".