[B2] What is Greenwashing?

Jessica: Hello everyone and welcome back to 5-Minute English, the podcast that helps you improve your English while learning about real-world topics. I’m Jessica, your host.

Today we’re discussing something very important in our modern world: greenwashing. It’s a word we hear more and more, especially with climate change and sustainability on everyone’s mind. To help us understand it properly, I’m joined by Cathy, who works in environmental communications and has followed these issues closely. Cathy, great to have you back on the show!

Cathy: Thanks, Jessica. I’m really glad to be here. This topic matters a lot because greenwashing affects how we make choices as consumers.

Jessica: Exactly. So, first things first – what exactly is greenwashing?

Cathy: Greenwashing is when a company makes false or misleading claims about how environmentally friendly their products, services, or operations are. They use clever marketing to make themselves look “green” – more caring about the planet – than they really are. The word comes from “green” for environment and “whitewashing,” which means hiding something bad by covering it up.

Instead of actually reducing pollution, saving resources, or cutting emissions, some companies just spend money on advertising that sounds eco-friendly. It tricks people who want to buy sustainable products.

Jessica: That sounds dishonest. Why do companies do it?

Cathy: Simple – consumer demand. More and more people prefer brands that seem responsible. A survey showed that over 70% of shoppers say they choose eco-friendly options when they can. So companies see an opportunity to attract customers and improve their image without making big, expensive changes. It’s easier and cheaper to change the label or the advert than to change the whole supply chain. But the problem is, it confuses everyone and slows down real progress on climate issues.

Jessica: Right. And there are famous examples. Can you tell us about some classic ones?

Cathy: Sure. One of the most famous is Volkswagen back in 2015. They advertised their diesel cars as “clean diesel” – low emissions, good for the environment. But they secretly installed software to cheat emissions tests. The cars polluted much more than claimed. It cost them billions in fines and damaged trust hugely.

Another old one is BP, the oil company. They ran ads about reducing their “carbon footprint” and protecting nature, but they were still one of the biggest polluters. It felt like they were shifting blame to individuals instead of fixing their own problems.

Jessica: Those are shocking. What about more recent cases? I’ve read about things happening in 2025 and 2026.

Cathy: Yes, greenwashing is still very common. In 2025, fast-fashion brand Shein was fined in Italy for misleading claims. They talked about “evoluSHEIN” as sustainable fashion, using words like recyclable and eco-design, but the claims were vague and didn’t match reality. Fast fashion produces huge amounts of waste and pollution, so it was seen as deceptive.

Also in 2025, TotalEnergies, a big oil company, lost a court case in France. They called themselves a leader in energy transition and claimed net-zero goals, but they kept expanding fossil fuel projects. The court said their advertising misled people about their real impact.

And recently, some meat companies like Tyson Foods and JBS settled lawsuits because they marketed beef as “climate-smart” or promised net-zero emissions by 2050 without realistic plans. Beef production creates a lot of methane – it’s hard to make it truly sustainable at scale.

Jessica: These examples show it’s not just small brands – big names do it too. How can we ordinary people spot greenwashing when shopping?

Cathy: Good question. There are several red flags.

First, watch for vague language. Words like “eco-friendly,” “natural,” “green,” or “sustainable” sound nice, but they often mean nothing specific. If there’s no clear evidence or number – like “we use 30% recycled plastic” with proof – be careful.

Second, look at hidden trade-offs. A product might claim “recyclable packaging,” but the main item inside could be made from harmful materials or produced with high emissions.

Third, irrelevant claims. For example, a company says their product is “CFC-free,” but CFCs have been banned for years – it’s not a real improvement.

Fourth, focus on one small positive thing while ignoring bigger problems. Like an oil company highlighting tree-planting while still drilling massively.

And finally, check for real certifications from trusted third parties, such as FSC for wood, or Fair Trade, or verified carbon reduction labels. Vague self-made badges are often meaningless.

Jessica: That’s really helpful. So, if we see a lot of green leaves and earth tones on packaging but no solid facts, it might be greenwashing.

Cathy: Exactly. And always ask: Does this claim make sense for the whole company? If a polluting industry suddenly says they’re net-zero without big changes, it’s probably too good to be true.

Jessica: What’s the bigger impact of greenwashing?

Cathy: It harms everyone. It misleads consumers who want to do the right thing, so they spend money on fake solutions. It makes it harder for truly sustainable companies to compete. And worst of all, it delays real action against climate change. When people think the problem is being solved by big brands, they feel less urgency to push for stronger laws or change habits.

Jessica: That’s deep. So, what can listeners do?

Cathy: Be curious and critical. Research brands – look at their websites, reports, or independent reviews. Support companies with transparent practices. Buy less, choose quality over quantity, and reuse what you have. Small actions add up, and demanding honesty from companies pushes them to improve.

Jessica: Brilliant advice, Cathy. Thank you so much for explaining this so clearly.

Cathy: My pleasure, Jessica. It’s important we all stay informed.

Jessica: Listeners, next time you shop, think twice about those green claims. Understanding greenwashing helps us make better choices and support real change. That’s all for today. If this episode made you think, share it with a friend. Subscribe for more useful English lessons every week. Until next time – stay aware, stay green for real. Bye!

See more: Mindset & Motivation for Personal Growth