Question

UPSC Prelims 2022 Question:

Which one of the following best describes the term “greenwashing”?

1. Conveying a false impression that a company’s products are eco-friendly and environmentally sound
2. Non-inclusion of ecological/environmental costs in the Annual Financial Statements of a country
3. Ignoring the disastrous ecological consequences while undertaking infrastructure development
4. Making mandatory provisions for environmental costs in a government project/programme

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 1: Conveying a false impression that a company’s products are eco-friendly and environmentally sound

Detailed Solution

Learn more about greenwashing in the given explanation below.

Explanation:

Greenwashing is the process of conveying a false impression or providing misleading information about how a company's products are more environmentally sound.
Greenwashing is considered an unsubstantiated claim to deceive consumers into believing that a company's products are environmentally friendly.
In addition, greenwashing may occur when a company attempts to emphasize sustainable aspects of a product to overshadow the company’s involvement in environmentally damaging practices.
Companies can also greenwash initiatives with vague claims that don't provide real data or scientific validation for the claims.
For example, a car vendor claims that a vehicle is eco-friendly because it is more fuel-efficient, while failing to mention or consider the larger industrial impact of vehicle manufacturing on the environment.

Therefore, option (1) is the correct answer.

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