Whiplash Team / Francesca Cordido, November 10th 2023

Why brands should avoid greenwashing

Brands that choose authenticity in their environmental approach can build trust with consumers, promote real progress towards sustainability, and meet the growing expectations of consumers. By avoiding greenwashing and genuinely committing to sustainability, brands can play a significant role in building a more sustainable and responsible future.

In recent years, environmental awareness has become a central theme in society. Consumers are increasingly concerned about the environmental impact of their purchasing decisions, and brands have responded to this concern with marketing strategies promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility.

However, not all of these strategies are authentic, and many brands resort to greenwashing to appear environmentally committed.

But what is greenwashing? In short, it is a practice where companies make misleading, and in many cases, outright false claims about their commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.

These claims can take many forms, from deceptive product labels to advertising campaigns that exaggerate or distort a brand’s sustainable practices.

Why is it a problem?

Greenwashing is harmful for several reasons:

• Deceives consumers: Greenwashing deceives consumers into believing they are making environmentally responsible choices. This can lead consumers to buy products or support brands that do not fulfill their environmental promises, undermining overall public trust.
• Discourages authentic brands: Brands that engage in greenwashing gain an unfair competitive advantage over those genuinely committed to sustainability. This discourages companies making sincere efforts to reduce their environmental impact and undermines progress towards a more sustainable economy.
• Damages brand reputation: When consumers discover that a brand has been misleading them with false claims about its environmental commitment, they are likely to lose trust in that brand and choose products from competitors.
• Does not address real environmental issues: One of the significant problems with greenwashing is that it does not tackle the actual environmental issues facing the planet. Instead of taking effective measures to reduce their carbon footprint or minimize their environmental impact, companies engaging in this practice focus on creating a false image of sustainability.
• May expose the company to legal and financial risks: Regulators and consumer advocacy organizations often take action against companies making deceptive sustainability claims. This can result in fines, sanctions, and reputation damage that can be costly.

The importance of authenticity

In contrast to greenwashing, authenticity in environmental commitment is essential. Consumers have increasingly high expectations for brands regarding sustainability and environmental responsibility. Authentic brands are honest with their customers about their sustainable practices and efforts, building trust and fostering lasting relationships with consumers.

Moreover, authentic brands are committed to addressing real environmental issues and taking concrete steps to reduce their impact. This is essential for tackling global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. By taking responsibility and acting sustainably, companies can contribute to real progress towards a more sustainable world.

Several companies have demonstrated a strong commitment to the environment. A prominent example is Patagonia, an outdoor clothing brand that not only produces durable products but also donates a portion of its profits to environmental organizations. In the case of Spain, a company notable for its environmental commitment is Ecoalf, specializing in sustainable fashion and using recycled materials such as plastic bottles, fishing nets, and tires to create its products. Additionally, Ecoalf focuses on transparency in its supply chain and ethical practices.

How to adopt an authentic approach

For an honest and genuine approach to sustainability, brands can take several measures:

• Be Transparent: Transparency is essential for building consumer trust. Brands should provide clear and accurate information about their sustainable practices, including details about material sourcing, manufacturing processes, carbon emissions, and other relevant environmental metrics.
• Define goals and objectives: Brands should establish specific, measurable, and achievable goals and objectives related to sustainability and environmental responsibility. These goals should be communicated clearly to consumers, and realistic timelines should be set for achieving them.
• Measure and communicate progress: Tracking and communicating progress are crucial to demonstrate a real commitment to sustainability. Brands should monitor their environmental performance and provide regular updates to consumers on how they are progressing towards their goals.
• Collaborate with credible organizations: Brands can enhance their credibility by working with reputable organizations or seeking third-party certifications to support their sustainability claims.
• Educate employees and collaborators: Internal education is essential to ensure that all employees and collaborators understand and support the brand’s sustainability efforts. This includes training on sustainable practices and the importance of authenticity in environmental commitment.