False environmental claims: an analysis of the legality of corporate greenwashing in the UK and evaluating if there is a need for reform

Authors

Katie Hawkins

Document Type

Graduate Article

Abstract

Corporate Environmental Responsibility places an obligation on companies to consider the environment when making executive decisions. However, with consumer demands for environmentally friendly products increasing, companies are not being honest about their environmental claims. A company’s environmental performance and reputation has become a key factor for a consumer’s purchasing decision. However, some companies are unable to meet consumer demands for environmentally friendly products. In response, companies are using false green claims. Such claims are used by companies to mislead consumers into believing a product or service has environmentally beneficial qualities or characteristics. This is also known as greenwashing. There is no specific legislation that prohibits greenwashing. Therefore, this article will analyse current UK legislation and regulating authorities that help prevent corporate greenwashing and evaluates if the current enforcement measures are satisfactory. The article then identifies developing enforcement measures and suggested reform for corporate greenwashing in the UK

Publication Date

2022-01-01

Publication Title

The Plymouth Law Review

Volume

15

Issue

1

First Page

13

Last Page

44

Recommended Citation

Hawkins, Katie (2022) "False environmental claims: an analysis of the legality of corporate greenwashing in the UK and evaluating if there is a need for reform," Plymouth Law Review: Vol. 15, Article 6.
Available at: https://pearl.plymouth.ac.uk/plr/vol15/iss1/6