Europe warns airlines of ‘misleading’ green offsetting claims

Twenty airlines operating in Europe have been put on notice that their offset schemes offered to passengers could be in breach of the bloc's laws. The European Commission (EC) and the Network of Consumer Protection Cooperation Authorities (CPC) have written to airlines with a list of “several types of potentially misleading green claims”. The CPC network, led by consumer authorities in Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway and Spain, raised concerns about airlines’ claims that CO2 emissions caused by a flight could be offset by climate projects or through the use of sustainable fuels, for which consumers are invited to pay additional fees. “The authorities are concerned that the identified practices can be considered as misleading actions/omissions,” the EC said on announcing its action, and as such would be in breach of Europe’s Unfair Commercial Practices Directive. The EC said such offset initiatives “create the incorrect impression” that passengers can reduce or wipe out the CO2 emissions from a flight. It warned that the term “sustainable aviation fuels” could be being used without justification of the environmental impact while the use of the terms “green”, “sustainable” or “responsible” by airlines could be misleading consumers. Further, it said airlines’ claims they are moving towards net zero need to be backed up by clear and verifiable commitments, targets and independent monitoring. “Presenting consumers with a ‘calculator’ for the CO2 emission of a specific flight, without providing sufficient scientific proof on whether such a calculation is reliable and without the information on the elements used for such calculation”, as well as comparisons of flights based on CO2 emissions are also potentially misleading consumers, the EC said. The airlines have been given 30 days to address the EC’s concerns about their environmental marketing claims and “bring their practices in line with EU consumer law”. The EC highlighted its directive, published in the Official Journal in February 2024, on empowering consumers for the green transition, which bans claims based on the offsetting of greenhouse gas emissions that a product has a neutral, reduced or positive impact on the environment. In March, the EC proposed the Green Claims Directive, which requires member states to ensure businesses can substantiate environmental claims, and to be transparent about offsetting claims, in particular what part of the claim concerns their own operations and what part relies on buying offsets. “The airlines are yet to clarify whether such claims can be substantiated based on sound scientific evidence,” the EC said. It warned that the CPC authorities could bring further enforcement action against the airlines if they fail to resolve their concerns. “More and more travellers care about their environmental footprint and choose products and services with better environmental performance. They deserve accurate and scientific answers, not vague or false claims,” said Věra Jourová, vice-president for values and transparency at the EC. “The Commission is fully committed to empowering consumers in the green transition and fighting greenwashing. We expect airlines, as well as any other industry operator, to make a responsible use of environmental claims,” she added.

Europe warns airlines of ‘misleading’ green offsetting claims

EC said it will fight greenwashing as airlines warned offsetting schemes and net-zero claims need to be backed up

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