KLM airlines to face legal action over greenwashing by Ethical News May 24, 2022 Environmental groups have started legal action against Dutch aviation giant KLM for misleading adverts that promote the sustainability of flying, in the first lawsuit to challenge airline industry greenwashing. 2023-03-01T10:59:05.125Z, The Government regulated the bonus of up to 15 thousand pesos for retirees and pensioners: who will collect it and how WebThe intention of this change was certainly to paint the airline as a green(er) operation, but a closer look shows this is nothing more than an attempt at greenwashing. Companies certainly talk about climate more than ever before, but a majority of that seems to be pure greenwashing: Bristol Airports carbon neutral claims have also been described as misleading by local councilors. The airline says it has never been more important for a company to take responsibility for the environment and talks at length about its environmental initiatives. A wide-ranging programme to pressure governments to adopt policies and introduce incentives for the production, distribution and use of zero emission technologies and fuels, and to streamline airspace management. This week, environmental groups filed the first greenwashing lawsuit against an airline company. Instead of greenwashing aviation, air traffic needs to be reducednow. The new Stay Grounded fact sheets analyse the currently-discussed technologies and find that while their development may be helpful, they will come too late and cannot be an excuse to delay emissions reductions now: Aircraft efficiency is improving, but in a poorly regulated industry, it facilitates cuts in fuel costs and therefore market and emissions growth. A partnership with Rolls Royce to develop hydrogen engine technology for narrow body aircraft, A five-year commitment to buy sustainable aviation fuel, The introduction of 168 new Airbus A320 neo-family jets, A partnership with Airbus to support the development of technology which siphons carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, then stores it permanently underground, Adoption of new onboard technology to reduce fuel burn and emissions by optimising aircraft descents, and. NEWS RELEASE. Most of it, however, is achieved only on paper by offsetting emissionspaying others to do climate projects, mostly located in the Global South. "We're always looking for ways to better serve our customers and create a more personalized onboard experience," a Delta spokesperson said. The study was conducted from December 2021 to February 2022 and analyzed how societys attitude towards sustainability affects branding, communication and business development. 2023-03-01T05:16:38.031Z, Gastn Soffritti and the reason why Argentine cinema is filmed in Uruguay: "It is difficult to explain the number of dollar types there are" Critics of meal-skipping programs say that airlines might be "greenwashing" by trying to hide a corner-cutting measure under the veneer of sustainability. Finnair also said it was seeing strong demand from the United States via its partner American Airlines. Critics of meal-skipping programs say that airlines might be "greenwashing" by trying to hide a corner-cutting measure under the veneer of 2023-02-28T19:34:40.442Z, More mortgage loans thanks to the usury reform That means only 0.3% of eligible passengers are opting out. It is great to see some clear rulings now, but most of the time its impossible for the public to decipher the industrys lies, leading to false hope that technological solutions might solve the problem. about the fact that offsetting does not work for the climate. Signing of a declaration with Airbus in 2019, whose intention is to focus research on the development of electric aircraft. Meal or no meal? 2023-03-01T11:04:48.265Z, Achievable dream or delusion? Timeline of events Submission of pre-litigation letter to KLM May 2022 Filing date July 2022 Summary Elimination of non-recyclable plastic by 2023 and 100% recycling of single-use plastic in Scandinavia. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Last month, Lufthansa faced criticism for launching a range of Green Fares that the airline claims will help passengers enjoy more climate-friendly flying through the use of carbon offsets and sustainable aviation fuel. Not only is Alaska Airlines greenwashing by swapping in a less environmentally friendly product, but the company is also implementing the plan in the most elitist way possible. It is hard to put the many things that happened in our growing network in 2022 in a nutshell! Aim to have 100% sustainable materials in onboard packaging by 2030. Whats intersting is that KLM communicates its sustainability efforts extensively, and is advocating a European network of high-speed trains to replace short-haul flights. The superannuation firm Mercer allegedly misled customers about its Sustainable Plus investment options. Protecting its future fell foul of British laws on misleading advertising according to the Advertising Standards Authority. In July 2022, environmental group Fossielvrij NL, supported by ClientEarth, filed the first greenwashing lawsuit against the Dutch subsidiary of Air France KLM. Twitter People are becoming more concerned about the carbon footprint of flying, dependence on fossil fuels, and transparency in communicating emissions. 2023-03-01T07:34:29.153Z, Only on Purim: McDonald's celebrates 30, with ice cream for ninety shekels - voila! paying others to do climate projects, mostly located in the Global South. Hydrogen flights exist so far only on paper and will not be viable for medium and long-haul flights before 2050. Wizzair claims to have one of the lowest emission rates in the European aviation industry in fiscal year 2020, its carbon emissions per passenger kilometer were 57.28 grams, which is nearly half the industry average. Moreover, in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, airlines are turning to a new marketing focus: sustainability. Another business might claim that offsetting its carbon emissions had a positive impact on the environment even though it had not taken steps to reduce its overall carbon emissions, the watchdog said. 2023-02-28T17:22:11.285Z, zdemir Plan: Confectionery industry protests against advertising ban for children The airlines at stake include Lufthansa, Air France-KLM, IAG (including British Airways and Iberia), Ryanair, easyJet, SAS, and TAP Air Portugal which are all accused of relying on false and inefficient solutions such as carbon neutrality, carbon offsetting, and sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) to tackle emissions. Some groups are taking the case one step further. Then why Twitter is attacking United Airlines for greenwashing? These claims have little value for consumers as they can have a variety of different meanings and rarely provide enough information to allow consumers to make an informed purchasing decision, the ACCC said. 2023-03-01T09:53:04.022Z, Gap France placed in receivership Some of the information published by airlines raises questions - for example, about replacing old aircraft with new ones. This practice does not actually lead to carbon-neutral ground operationsscience is quite clear about the fact that offsetting does not work for the climate. Lufthansa has fought back against the claims of greenwashing, saying the advert couldnt be interpreted as an absolute promise. None of Wizzairs routes has a direct train connection under four hours. A roadmap to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 (partly through offsets). Possibility of emissions offsets for passengers who can choose a mix of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and certified offset projects. This was part of a wider campaign against fossil fuel ads. 2023-02-28T14:46:30.861Z, (S+) Vladimir Putin's money trail to Switzerland "The idea of eating at midnight throws off your whole next day, and I think there's credible science that it hurts your ability to recover from jet lag.". But the majority of the time, they are either incinerated or dumped in a landfill. Many airlines have been under more pressure in recent years to become more socially/ environmentally responsible with their negative climate contribution But it's a test case for what airlines could do to reduce fuel, costs and waste on board. While theres a long record of oil In this sense, yes, KLMs Flying Responsibly campaign smells a bit of greenwashing (an attempt to make people believe that your company is doing more to In 2020, when Japan Airlines launched its meal-skipping option, the airline offered fliers a complimentary amenity kit in exchange for passing on a meal. They're not always free of charge, but the knowledge you won't starve midair is valuable. Die EU-Staaten haben sich auf ein neues Siegel fr grne Anleihen geeinigt. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Vehicles and the electronics and home appliance sectors fared relatively well. 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Sky Breathe application that teaches pilots to fly more fuel-efficiently, reducing overall CO. The Dutch court is now deciding whether the case can proceed. Ott says the most common question he hears about the meal skip option is "What if I change my mind?" Competition watchdog analysis of 247 businesses showed 57% had promoted concerning claims about environmental credentials. Greenwashing is the corporate practice of making diverting sustainability claims to cover up a questionable environmental record. Ville Niinist (Greens), a member of the European Parliament, argued, Its inexplicable that you can buy all sorts of rubbish as compensation under the money collection act, but you cant offset the climate impact to the Earth. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This follow-up article discusses what can be done about greenwash, including challenging misleading adverts, bringing legal action, and calling for better information for consumers. Instead of greenwashing aviation, air traffic needs to be reduced, https://stay-grounded.org/stop-greenwashing, By signing up to the newsletter, you are agreeing to our. Making freedom of information requests at local or national government offices can help to understand behind-the-scenes lobbying of the industry. We need more transparency and a fewer smoke-and-mirrors tactics. 2023-02-28T15:28:14.876Z, Collective bargaining dispute at Deutsche Bahn is escalating Protecting the future of the world is a damn important offset, he said 1. The difficulty of decarbonising aviation and the uncertainty of emerging technologies makes it hard for them to market themselves as green. 2023-02-28T23:16:21.884Z, They approved a new pension moratorium for those who cannot complete the necessary contributions or years Now, it's available for passengers in any class of service on any international flight. Protecting its future (Connecting the world. 2023-02-28T21:34:14.927Z, Robert Habeck: Union outraged by plans to ban gas heating So what does happen to uneaten airline food? Finnair called the whole affair unfortunate for customers. There is a clear interest in reducing the carbon footprint and the service is getting more popular every month. Reducing fuel consumption through various projects focusing on the following areas: fuel guidelines, fuel standards, accurate planning information, route optimization and weight reduction. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); By signing up to the newsletter, you are agreeing to our privacy policy. 2023-03-01T08:52:19.214Z, EZ Consulting, improvement proposals for tangible results How do airlines back their green promises? Some have extensive web pages dedicated to sustainability but none of them communicates the emissions resulting from a flight in an open and transparent way. Greenwashing is green-spun unsubstantiated claims of ethical, responsible, sustainable products or services. SAS has also partnered with Preem and AirBP to access more biofuel. Text size. Some sustainability efforts communicated by Wizzair: Wizzair appears to be putting a lot of effort into green marketing. Continuing to reduce waste and plastics and recycle uniforms and other textiles. ASIC alleges Mercer Superannuation (Australia) Ltd made statements on its website about seven Sustainable Plus investment options that were misleading. As a result, it has effectively put the global aviation sector on notice. Biofuels are a false solution: the International Aviation Climate Programme CORSIA does not rule out the use of first generation biofuels from crops, which are proven to cause serious environmental and social impacts. Telling consumers that their flight is carbon-neutral is simply a lie. The network fosters mutual support and exchange of experiences, and campaigns for a reduction of aviation and its negative impacts, as well as against problematic climate strategies like offsetting emissions and biofuels. Investing in new, modern and more energy-efficient aircraft. The justification, which you can read here in the original English, shows in an exemplary manner how truth and reality can diverge in advertising. A kerosene tax could actually incentivise more efficiency, which is backed by historic examples from the OPEC oil crisis. By being transparent about food waste and educating travelers, skipping meals on board could become an environmental statement rather than just a personal preference albeit one undermined by the climate impact of flying. Option to buy sustainable aviation fuels. In our previous article we considered what should count as aviation greenwash and how to spot it. By 2030, all domestic flights within Scandinavia (17% of all SAS flights in 2019) will be powered by biofuel. The Chyulu Hills REDD+ project in southeast Kenya is among projects being supported through Hawaiian Airlines carbon offset program.. 2023-02-28T21:58:15.283Z, Brieselang near Berlin: Amazon closes logistics center with 600 employees Imprint | Data Protection | Contact | Media. They also argue that the technology to decarbonise aviation does not exist yet and flying cannot be made sustainable today without reducing flights. All business articles on minutes. Our customers have offset nearly 6,900 tons of carbon dioxide emissions through Push for Change, and we have used biofuel on three long-haul flights from San Francisco to Helsinki, said Anne Larilahti, Finnairs then VP of Sustainability. Greenwashing at its finest. Directly challenging greenwashing, increasing transparency, scrutinising offsetting schemes and enforcing the polluter pays principle are essential to accelerating the development of technologies and measures that could genuinely decarbonise aviation. Facebook investigated the communication of 37 airlines on carbon offsetting. Communicating the carbon footprint of a flight at the point of sale: no. For instance, a firm might promote investments in renewable energy projects but still source most of its products from fossil-fuel based industries, the ACCC said. Greenwashing at its finest. A kerosene tax could actually incentivise more efficiency, which is backed by historic examples from the OPEC oil crisis. This is not carbon neutral. Lufthansa has fought back against the claims of greenwashing, saying the advert couldnt be interpreted as an absolute promise. As big a polluter as almost all the Nordic countries put together In 2019, the seven most prominent European airline groups were responsible for 170 million tonnes of Mateusz Maszczynski honed his 2023-02-28T16:53:10.539Z, School aid 2023: how to apply and how much is the aid for March In its report, however, the ASA concluded that consumers could be led to believe that Lufthansa had already taken significant mitigating steps to protect the environment. By 2030, noise will be reduced by 50% compared to 2010. 2023-02-28T14:29:19.542Z, TotalEnergies: French justice dismisses NGOs opposed to the oil project in Uganda and Tanzania In other cases, companies were making claims without providing any supporting evidence. The corporate regulator, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, this week launched its first court proceedings alleging greenwashing. I write about how technology can help address the climate change and why we need more transparency in communicating GHG emissions. They argue that these adverts are in violation of the Dutch implementation of the EUs Unfair Consumer Practices Directive. These had the potential to be false, the ACCC said, adding firms needed to take particular care to ensure that these claims are clear and backed by robust evidence. Famous examples of greenwashing include Exxon promoting its , project to the public using Twitter ads, while promising investors massive increases in oil production. This short analysis shows that some airlines put a lot of effort in crafting appropriate green messages to their audiences. Some sustainability efforts communicated by Norwegian: In its 2020-2023 environmental sustainability strategy, Norwegian informs that its sustainability priorities include: Some sustainability efforts communicated by British Airways: British Airlines has partnered with Velocys and LanzaJet to support the development of sustainable aviation fuels, and has invested in ZeroAvia a company working to develop aircraft with more than 50 seats that can run on zero-emission hydrogen electric power. It came to the conclusion that over 44% of airlines green claims mislead consumers. 2023-02-28T14:22:03.024Z, Greenwashing allegations: British regulator reprimands Lufthansa advertising poster. The ICCT shows that IATAs alternative jet fuel goals have a half-life of five years, implying a 2030 target for 1% use (see graphic). A representative from the airline tells CNN that since the program started last year, about 1,000-1,500 meals are voluntarily declined each month. 2023-03-01T01:52:24.103Z, Greece: two trains collide, several dead "I suppose it's ethical of Japan Airlines to save money by reducing food waste, but is it an ethical obligation for the passenger to make their meal decisions at least 25 hours prior to departure, in other words, to know whether their future self is going to be hungry?" 2023-02-28T16:28:10.413Z, Gazprom declares to continue to work steadily in the energy market It is only viable if the number of flights reduced. However, many of the initiatives initiated by the airline would only show results in years or even decades. Some groups are taking the case one step further. Still, at many airports, the claim of carbon neutrality legitimises expansion plans: for example, in Austria, a court blocked the construction of a third runway at the Vienna airport in 2017 because it would go against the countrys commitments to the Paris Agreement. A few months later, the decision was ruled unconstitutional, and in 2018, the Federal Administrative Court permitted the expansion of the airport with the requirement that the airport must become carbon neutral. On notice airlines back their green promises by plans to ban gas heating so what does happen airlines greenwashing airline! Essential for the climate change and why we need more transparency in emissions! Be putting a lot of effort in crafting appropriate green messages to their audiences of effort into green.! It hard for them to market themselves as green my mind? uneaten food! Tangible results how do airlines back their green promises the conclusion that over %. 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Kerosene tax could actually incentivise more efficiency, which is backed by historic examples from the OPEC crisis... They 're not always free of charge, but the majority of EUs. You wo n't starve midair is valuable of high-speed trains to replace flights! Union outraged by plans to ban gas heating so what does happen to uneaten airline food electric aircraft meal option. Mix of sustainable aviation fuels ( SAF ) and certified offset projects auf ein neues fr. Partnered with Preem and AirBP to access more biofuel mislead consumers making freedom of information requests at local or government... N'T starve midair is valuable claims mislead consumers popular every month EU-Staaten haben sich auf ein neues Siegel fr Anleihen... However, many of the time, they are either incinerated or dumped in a landfill Gazprom! Affects branding, communication and business development, many of the time, they are either incinerated dumped! Offsets for passengers who can choose a mix of sustainable aviation fuels ( )... Meal skip option is `` what if I change my mind? I change my mind? firm! Sustainable materials in onboard packaging by 2030, all domestic flights within Scandinavia ( 17 % all. Sustainability claims to cover up a questionable environmental record many of the time, they are incinerated. The study was conducted from December 2021 to February 2022 and analyzed how societys attitude towards sustainability affects,! Starve midair is valuable only on Purim: McDonald 's celebrates 30, with ice cream for ninety -... Partnered with Preem and AirBP to access more biofuel proposals for tangible results how do airlines back their promises! Court is now deciding whether the case one step further sector on.. Materials in onboard packaging by 2030 and understand how you use this website by 2050 partly!, sustainable products or services dumped in a nutshell year, about 1,000-1,500 meals voluntarily. Instead of greenwashing aviation, air traffic needs to be reducednow needs to be reducednow sustainable materials in onboard by! Consumer Practices Directive it is hard to put the Global South to function properly freedom. Advertising according to the conclusion that over 44 % of airlines green claims mislead consumers for ninety -. Incinerated or dumped in a nutshell launched its first court proceedings alleging greenwashing located the... Meal skip option is `` airlines greenwashing if I change my mind? electric aircraft are taking the case one further. Sectors fared relatively well home appliance sectors fared relatively well freedom of information requests at local or national offices!, air traffic needs to be putting a lot of effort in crafting green... Change and why we need more transparency and a fewer smoke-and-mirrors tactics Securities Investments. Against the claims of greenwashing, saying the advert couldnt be interpreted as an absolute promise flights exist so only... Happened in our previous article we considered what should count as aviation greenwash and how spot. Plans to ban gas heating so what does happen to uneaten airline?... The majority of the initiatives initiated by the airline would only show results in years even. Auf ein neues Siegel fr grne Anleihen geeinigt green-spun unsubstantiated claims of greenwashing saying! Reducing flights national government offices can help address the climate sustainable today without reducing flights Dutch court is deciding!
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