GREENWASH Definition & Meaning

greenwash

[ green-wosh, -wawsh ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

to disingenuously incorporate into (a brand, campaign, mission, etc.) a position or agenda that promotes environmentalism, as a ploy to divert attention from policies and activities that are in fact antienvironmentalist:
Energy lobbyists are attempting to greenwash the industry’s environmental impact while laying out a propolluter policy agenda.
to deceive (a consumer) by presenting a product, practice, or policy as more environmentally friendly than it is:
Young people care about the environmental impact of tourism, and the cruise line hasn’t been able to greenwash these potential customers.

noun

greenwashing:
We’ve ranked the climate policies and fossil fuel divestment of the largest “sustainable” funds to help you cut through the greenwash with your investments.

greenwash

/ ˈɡ��ː��ˌ��ɒʃ /

noun

a superficial or insincere display of concern for the environment that is shown by an organization

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of greenwash¹

First recorded in 1985–90; green ( def ) (in the sense “environmentally beneficial”) + (brain)wash ( def ) or (white)wash ( def )

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

“It’s a bit of greenwashing,” she said, referring to the practice of misleading the public about environmental efforts.

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“President Aliyev isn’t connected with climate change, but he's looking for COP29 as a unique opportunity to whitewash and greenwash himself, his toxic image,” he said.

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Done purely for marketing, it has been criticized by environmentalists as a greenwashing tactic.

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Though the agency only pursues a few greenwashing cases a year, its guides — which are guidelines instead of laws — are the only national benchmark for evaluating recycling claims.

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Were there a greenwashing hall of fame, this would be in it.

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