This is a classic 'Term of the Year' question. It sits directly in standard texts (Shankar IAS, Ch 29) and was a buzzword in COP discussions. Strategy: Maintain a specific 'Glossary of Buzzwords' for Environment—UPSC asks one definition question (e.g., Social Cost of Carbon, Greenwashing) almost every year.
How this question is built
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements.
Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
Statement 1
Is the term "greenwashing" defined as conveying a false impression that a company's products are eco-friendly and environmentally sound?
Origin: Direct from books
Fairness: Straightforward
Book-answerable
From standard books
Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 29: Environment Issues and Health Effects > 29.3.4. Greeenwashing > p. 418
Presence: 5/5
“r Greenwashing refers to a range of activities that companies or even countries indulge in to present misleading or dubious claims about their climate action.
• Also known as, green sheen, greenwashing is an attempt to capitalize on the growing demand for environment-friendly products. • Greenwashing helps in boosting the image of the entity and help them garner benefits for things they do nothing against climate change. • Prevalence of greenwashing: Greenwashing in the context of net-zero targets is being pursued by many corporations and sub-national governments.
&&'ssss'”
Why this source?
- Provides an explicit definition linking greenwashing to presenting misleading or dubious claims about climate action.
- States greenwashing is an attempt to capitalize on demand for environment-friendly products by creating a false eco-friendly image.
Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 11: Industries > Definitional Problems of Eco-tourism > p. 101
Presence: 4/5
“For this reason, environmentalists, special interest groups and governments define eco-tourism differently. Environmental organisations have generally insisted that eco-tourism is naturebased, sustainably-managed, conservation-supporting, and environmentally-educated. The tourist industry and governments, however, focus more on the product aspect, treating eco-tourism as equivalent to any sort of tourism based in nature. As a further complication, many terms are used under the rubric of eco-tourism, and others have been used in literature and marketing. Although they are not necessary synonymous with eco-tourism. The problems associated with defining eco-tourism have led to confusion among tourists and academics alike. Definitional problems are also subject of considerable public controversy, a trend towards the commercialisation of tourism schemes disguised as sustainable, nature-based, and environmentally-friendly eco-tourism.”
Why this source?
- Describes commercialization disguised as sustainable and environmentally-friendly, reflecting marketing that creates a false eco-friendly impression.
- Highlights definitional confusion and use of marketing terms to present products as environmentally friendly when they may not be.
Understanding Economic Development. Class X . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 5: CONSUMER RIGHTS > THE CONSUMER IN THE MARKETPLACE > p. 76
Presence: 3/5
“the world as the most scientific product claiming this to be better than mother's milk. It took years of struggle before the company was forced to accept that it had been making false claims. Similarly, a long battle had to be fought with court cases to make cigarettemanufacturing companies accept that their product could cause cancer. Hence, there is a need for rules and regulations to ensure protection for consumers.
EVERYONE KNOWS TOBACCO KILLS PEOPLE, BUT WHO CAN SAY THAT TOBACCO COMPANIES SHOULD NOT BE FREE TO SELL TOBACCO?”
Why this source?
- Gives examples of companies making false product claims and the ensuing need for consumer protection.
- Illustrates the broader pattern of deceptive corporate claims that greenwashing is a part of.
Statement 2
Is the term "greenwashing" defined as non-inclusion of ecological/environmental costs in a country's Annual Financial Statements?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs
Fairness: CA heavy
Web-answerable
"Greenwashing and misleading statements could also violate directors’ duties. Most often, issuing false or misleading statements can violate the duty of care."
Why this source?
- Explicitly equates greenwashing with false or misleading statements about a firm's environmental or social impact.
- Shows greenwashing is a communicative/deceptive practice, not an accounting omission in national financial statements.
"If these green projects subsequently turn out to be unprofitable and/or unviable (evidenced by contemporary concerns of a green bubble and greenwashing by firms),"
Why this source?
- Refers to 'greenwashing by firms' in the context of misleading claims about green projects and their viability.
- Frames greenwashing as a reputational/ disclosure problem rather than non-inclusion of environmental costs in national accounts.
"because fossil fuels are not currently priced to include the environmental costs of their extraction and combustion"
Why this source?
- Describes non-inclusion of environmental costs as an issue of pricing (fossil fuels not priced to include environmental costs).
- Indicates that omission of environmental costs is a separate accounting/pricing concept, distinct from the deceptive practice described as greenwashing.
Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 29: Environment Issues and Health Effects > 29.3.4. Greeenwashing > p. 418
Strength: 5/5
“r Greenwashing refers to a range of activities that companies or even countries indulge in to present misleading or dubious claims about their climate action.
• Also known as, green sheen, greenwashing is an attempt to capitalize on the growing demand for environment-friendly products. • Greenwashing helps in boosting the image of the entity and help them garner benefits for things they do nothing against climate change. • Prevalence of greenwashing: Greenwashing in the context of net-zero targets is being pursued by many corporations and sub-national governments.
&&'ssss'”
Why relevant
Gives the standard definition of 'greenwashing' as misleading or dubious claims by companies or countries about their climate action.
How to extend
A student could use this definition to check whether misreporting or omission of environmental costs in official accounts would fit as a form of misleading climate-related claim.
Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 1: Fundamentals of Macro Economy > Green GDP: > p. 29
Strength: 5/5
“Ecosystem resources such as mineral deposits, water resources, soil nutrients, fossil fuels etc. are capital assets but traditional national accounts do not include measures of the depletion of these resources. This means a country could cut its forests to set up a factory and deplete its fisheries, and which would ultimately show only as a positive gain in GDP without registering the corresponding decline in assets. This is where Green GDP comes into play. The green GDP is the measurement of GDP growth with the environmental consequences of that growth factored in. Green GDP accounts for the monetized loss of biodiversity, costs caused by climate change etc.”
Why relevant
Defines Green GDP as GDP adjusted by monetized losses from resource depletion and environmental degradation—showing a recognized practice of including environmental costs in national accounts.
How to extend
One could infer that omission of such adjustments in official accounts creates a gap that might be characterized as deceptive reporting when presented as environmentally sound.
Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 21: Sustainable Development and Climate Change > GREEN GDP > p. 606
Strength: 4/5
“Green GDP is the index of the economic growth of a specific nation which takes into consideration the environmental consequences of the economic growth. To calculate Green GDP, from the final goods and services produced, the cost of natural consumption (i.e. resource depletion, environmental degradation, etc.) is subtracted. It is a measure of how a country is prepared for sustainable economic development. The Centre is initiating the measurement of green GDP of the States. However, it is quite difficult to estimate Green GDP as there are serious challenges in quantifying the amount of depletion in resources or of environmental degradation.”
Why relevant
Explains how Green GDP is calculated by subtracting natural consumption/environmental degradation costs from GDP, and notes measurement challenges.
How to extend
A student could reason that not accounting for these costs (despite their conceptual recognition) could enable claims of environmental responsibility that are not backed by accounts.
Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 5: Biodiversity and Legislations > the Five Earth Summit agreements > p. 6
Strength: 3/5
“Management, Conservation, and Sustainable Development of all Types of Forests: Tis non-binding agreement guides world forestry practices toward a more sustainable future of forest yields and diversity.• 4. Te Earth Charter: Tis is a non-binding statement of 27 environmental and economic principles. Tey establish an ethical basis for a sustainable human–earth relationship. An important emphasis is inclusion of environmental costs in economic assessments. Improvisation and utilization of air, soil, water and ecosystems sometimes is mistaken for progress. Te environment is not an inexhaustible mine of resources to be tapped indefnitely. In terms of natural capital—air, water, timber, fsheries, petroleum—Earth is indeed a fnite physical system.• 5.”
Why relevant
The Earth Charter excerpt emphasizes inclusion of environmental costs in economic assessments as an ethical principle.
How to extend
A learner could use this normative rule to argue omission of environmental costs from national financial statements contradicts accepted assessment principles and may support labeling practices as misleading.
Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 6: Environmental Degradation and Management > GrEEn EconoMIcS. > p. 51
Strength: 3/5
“economy. Tis model, according to Brian Milani, the author of 'Designing the Green Economy' (Brian Milani, 2000) must establish direct democracy, meet everyone's needs and harmonise human activity with nature. In its simplest form 'green economy' mean an economy with (i) low carbon, (ii) judicious utilisation of resources, and (iii) socially inclusive which provide the beneft of resource utilisation to the weakest section of the society. Many aspects of our daily lives are excluded from mainstream economics, which measures industrial production and the exchange of money. In general terms, producers and consumers only take into consideration their own direct costs and benefts when making decisions rather than the costs and benefts to society as a whole.”
Why relevant
Points out mainstream economics and decision-makers often ignore societal (environmental) costs and benefits, highlighting the concept of unaccounted externalities.
How to extend
Combining this with the greenwashing definition, a student might hypothesize that systematic non-inclusion of environmental externalities in official accounts enables or constitutes greenwashing.
Statement 3
Is the term "greenwashing" defined as ignoring the disastrous ecological consequences while undertaking infrastructure development?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs
Fairness: CA heavy
Web-answerable
"The long-term ecological consequences of greenwashing are profound and far-reaching. By delaying genuine environmental action and perpetuating unsustainable consumption patterns, greenwashing **exacerbates environmental degradation** across multiple fronts."
Why this source?
- Directly discusses greenwashing and explicitly links it to worsening ecological outcomes.
- Says greenwashing delays genuine environmental action and 'exacerbates environmental degradation', which aligns with 'ignoring disastrous ecological consequences.'
"And once again nothing is said about the economic and ecological consequences of the FIT-policy:"
Why this source?
- Notes that policies sometimes omit discussion of ecological consequences, illustrating the 'ignoring consequences' aspect in policy and development contexts.
- Shows an example where economic/policy measures proceed without addressing ecological impacts, which is conceptually similar to the behavior described in the statement.
"Moreover, infrastructure development is linked to about 29% of species threats globally (WEF 2020)."
Why this source?
- Links infrastructure development to substantial species threats (29%), showing that infrastructure activity can have 'disastrous ecological consequences' if not addressed.
- Provides context that infrastructure decisions have ecological impacts, supporting the part of the statement concerning infrastructure development.
Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 29: Environment Issues and Health Effects > 29.3.4. Greeenwashing > p. 418
Strength: 5/5
“r Greenwashing refers to a range of activities that companies or even countries indulge in to present misleading or dubious claims about their climate action.
• Also known as, green sheen, greenwashing is an attempt to capitalize on the growing demand for environment-friendly products. • Greenwashing helps in boosting the image of the entity and help them garner benefits for things they do nothing against climate change. • Prevalence of greenwashing: Greenwashing in the context of net-zero targets is being pursued by many corporations and sub-national governments.
&&'ssss'”
Why relevant
Gives an explicit definitional pattern: greenwashing refers to misleading or dubious claims about climate action to boost image and reap benefits.
How to extend
A student could extend this to test whether projects that claim environmental friendliness while causing harm fit the pattern of misrepresentation.
Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 6: Environmental Degradation and Management > Eco-development > p. 28
Strength: 4/5
“Eco-development is a concept of sustainable development in which all developmental activities are performed in such a way that regional ecological balance can be maintained. Tis was originally advocated by UNEP for environmental planning and was defned as 'development at regional and local levels consistent with the potentials of the area involved, with attention given to the adequate and rational use of natural resources, and to application of technological styles' (UNEP, 1975).”
Why relevant
Defines 'eco-development' as development consistent with regional ecological potentials and rational use of natural resources — a normative standard opposite to ignoring ecological consequences.
How to extend
A student could compare project practices to this standard to judge if claimed 'green' projects actually maintain ecological balance or instead ignore it.
INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY, TEXTBOOK IN GEOGRAPHY FOR CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 6: Planning and Sustainable Development in Indian Context > Measures for Promotion of Sustainable Development > p. 73
Strength: 4/5
“The ecological sustainability of Indira Gandhi Canal Project has been questioned by various scholars. Their point of view has also largely been validated by the course of development this region has taken during the last four decades, which has resulted in degradation of physical environment. It is a hard fact that attaining sustainable development in the command area requires major thrust upon the measures to achieve ecological sustainability. Hence, five of the seven measures proposed to promote sustainable development in the command area are meant to restore ecological balance. • (i) The first requirement is strict implementation of water management policy.”
Why relevant
Provides an example where a major infrastructure project (Indira Gandhi Canal) has been questioned for ecological sustainability, illustrating how development can degrade environment despite developmental claims.
How to extend
Using this case, a student could examine whether promoters portrayed the project as beneficial while evidence showed ecological harm, which would resemble greenwashing behavior.
Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 21: Sustainable Development and Climate Change > Indian Economy 21.2 > p. 596
Strength: 3/5
“The green economy can be defined as an economy that aims for sustainable development by reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. It is a macroeconomic approach which aims to generate employment and income by investing in such economic activities, assets and infrastructure that reduce carbon emission and pollution and enhance energy efficiency. It is socially inclusive, protects environment and prevents the loss of biodiversity.”
Why relevant
Defines 'green economy' as aiming to reduce environmental risks and protect biodiversity — sets expectations for what genuine green claims should mean.
How to extend
A student could use this definition to assess whether infrastructure labeled 'green' actually reduces risks and protects biodiversity or merely claims to do so.
Statement 4
Is the term "greenwashing" defined as making mandatory provisions for environmental costs in a government project or programme?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs
Fairness: CA heavy
Web-answerable
"Using country-level government regulatory policy implementation, the analysis finds that information transparency reduces greenwashing behavior, as such corporate social responsibility mimicking behavior gains fewer rewards when the market is more transparent in terms of information. The analysis collects a comprehensive sample of significant changes to mandatory environment reporting requirements around the world."
Why this source?
- Explicitly uses 'greenwashing' to mean deceptive/mimicking corporate behaviour, not a government provision.
- Links greenwashing to 'corporate social responsibility mimicking behavior', indicating it is about misleading claims.
- Separately refers to 'mandatory environment reporting requirements' as a policy tool that can reduce greenwashing — implying the two are different concepts.
"because fossil fuels are not currently priced to include the environmental costs of their extraction and combustion"
Why this source?
- Discusses 'environmental costs' as an economic/pricing issue (fossil fuels not priced to include environmental costs), i.e., a distinct policy/economic concept.
- This indicates that 'making provisions for environmental costs' pertains to pricing/accounting measures, not the deceptive practice labeled greenwashing.
Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 29: Environment Issues and Health Effects > 29.3.4. Greeenwashing > p. 418
Strength: 5/5
“r Greenwashing refers to a range of activities that companies or even countries indulge in to present misleading or dubious claims about their climate action.
• Also known as, green sheen, greenwashing is an attempt to capitalize on the growing demand for environment-friendly products. • Greenwashing helps in boosting the image of the entity and help them garner benefits for things they do nothing against climate change. • Prevalence of greenwashing: Greenwashing in the context of net-zero targets is being pursued by many corporations and sub-national governments.
&&'ssss'”
Why relevant
Gives an explicit definition of 'greenwashing' as misleading or dubious claims by companies or countries about their climate action.
How to extend
A student could contrast this definition with the idea of formal mandatory provisions to see that greenwashing refers to image/manipulation, not statutory requirements.
Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 17: Contemporary Issues > ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA) > p. 45
Strength: 4/5
“The deterioration of environment adversely affects the quality of life and the very survival of mankind. Environmental Impact Assessment is an imperative requirement before any major or medium project is installed. Projects like multipurpose projects, thermal and nuclear power plants, defence installations, ordnance factories, irrigation projects, agro-based and mineral-based industries, national highways, railways, airports, and seaports require Environmental Impact Assessment. In the environmental impact assessment, an inventory of pollutants is prepared in which an account is maintained of the inputs and outputs. It is also known as environmental auditing. On the basis of standards laid down by the government, the positive and negative consequences of the conceived project on economy, society, and ecology are assessed.The project should be economically viable, socially acceptable, and ecologically sustainable.”
Why relevant
Describes Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as an 'imperative requirement' before major projects and as an inventory/accounting of environmental inputs/outputs.
How to extend
Use this to show that mandatory environmental provisions are formal regulatory processes (EIA) distinct from promotional/misleading acts called greenwashing.
Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 6: Environmental Degradation and Management > Environmental Impact assessment in India > p. 49
Strength: 4/5
“Tose projects which cost more than Rs. 50 crores. A Government of India Notifcation of January 1994 makes EIA statutory for 29 categories of developmental projects under various sectors such as irrigation, mining, industrial power, transport, tourism, communication, etc. Te EIA Notifcation was amended in 1984 in order to make public hearing an integral part of the assessment procedure. Environmental clearance is granted by the Impact Assessment Agency in the Ministry of Environment and Forests.”
Why relevant
Notes that a 1994 Government of India notification made EIA statutory for many project categories and that environmental clearance is granted by a designated agency.
How to extend
A student could extend this to argue mandatory provisions are legal/statutory mechanisms, unlike the deceptive practices implied by greenwashing.
Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 7: Environmental Impact Assessment > Grant ofclearance: > p. 137
Strength: 3/5
“• The notification needs to make it clear that the provision for site clearance does not imply any commitment on the part of the impact Assessment agency to grant full environmental clearance. • The prior informed consent of local communities and urban wards or residents associatir:n needs to be made mandatory before the grant of environmental clearance. The consent should be from the full general body. • The language used for specifying conditions of clearance must be clear and specific.”
Why relevant
Explains procedural specifics of grant of environmental clearance, including mandatory prior informed consent and clear language for conditions.
How to extend
Shows concrete mandatory steps and obligations in government processes, reinforcing that 'making mandatory provisions' is a regulatory action distinct from 'greenwashing.'
Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 26: Institutions and Measures > 26.4 ECO MARK > p. 377
Strength: 3/5
“• The government scheme of labeling of environment friendly products to provide accreditation and labeling for household and other consumer products which meet certain environmental criteria along with quality requirements of the Bureau of Indian Standards for that product. • The objective is to recognize good environmental performance as well as improvements in performance of the unit.”
Why relevant
Describes an official government labelling scheme (ECO MARK) to recognize genuine environmental performance of products.
How to extend
A student can use this to contrast official certification/standards (verifiable) with greenwashing (misleading claims lacking such verification).
Pattern takeaway:
UPSC loves 'New Age Environmental Terms' that bridge Economy and Ecology. The pattern is to pick a term frequently used in editorials (The Hindu/Indian Express) regarding corporate accountability and ask for its precise definition.
How you should have studied
- [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. Direct hit from Shankar IAS (Ch 29) and common current affairs. If you missed this, you aren't reading the 'boxes' or 'glossary' sections of your standard text.
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Corporate Environmental Responsibility & Climate Action terminologies (ESG norms).
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize sibling 'Color-Washing' terms: Blue-washing (UN Global Compact/Human Rights), Pink-washing (LGBTQ+ rights), and related concepts like Green Pricing, Green Bonds (SEBI), Green GDP (Option B), and Carbon Insetting vs Offsetting.
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Analyze the distractors. Option B describes 'Green Accounting/Green GDP'. Option D describes 'Green Budgeting'. The examiner constructs options using valid definitions of *other* concepts. Know the difference between a deceptive practice (washing) and a policy tool (accounting).
Concept hooks from this question
👉 Greenwashing — misleading environmental claims
💡 The insight
Greenwashing is the practice of making deceptive or dubious environmental claims to appear eco-friendly.
High-yield for questions on environmental governance and corporate conduct: helps distinguish genuine sustainability measures from marketing claims, and links to policy responses such as regulation and oversight. Useful for questions on corporate accountability, net-zero claims, and environmental communication.
📚 Reading List :
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 29: Environment Issues and Health Effects > 29.3.4. Greeenwashing > p. 418
- Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 11: Industries > Definitional Problems of Eco-tourism > p. 101
🔗 Anchor: "Is the term "greenwashing" defined as conveying a false impression that a compan..."
👉 Eco-labeling and accreditation (Ecomark)
💡 The insight
Official eco-labeling provides authoritative certification that contrasts with unverified eco-friendly claims.
Important for policy and regulatory questions: shows how standards and certification (e.g., Ecomark) are tools to prevent misleading claims and support consumer trust. Connects to topics on standards, Bureau of Indian Standards, and market-based environmental instruments.
📚 Reading List :
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 26: Institutions and Measures > 26.4 ECO MARK > p. 377
🔗 Anchor: "Is the term "greenwashing" defined as conveying a false impression that a compan..."
👉 Consumer protection against false product claims
💡 The insight
False advertising examples demonstrate the need for legal and regulatory safeguards to stop deceptive environmental claims.
Relevant for questions on consumer rights, regulation, and enforcement mechanisms; links environment, market regulation, and public interest litigation. Helps frame answers on why regulatory frameworks and penalties are necessary to curb greenwashing.
📚 Reading List :
- Understanding Economic Development. Class X . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 5: CONSUMER RIGHTS > THE CONSUMER IN THE MARKETPLACE > p. 76
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 29: Environment Issues and Health Effects > 29.3.4. Greeenwashing > p. 418
🔗 Anchor: "Is the term "greenwashing" defined as conveying a false impression that a compan..."
👉 Greenwashing — misleading environmental claims
💡 The insight
Greenwashing denotes presenting misleading or dubious claims about climate action or environmental friendliness to boost image without substantive action.
High-yield for UPSC because it distinguishes rhetoric from policy implementation; links to corporate governance, consumer protection, and regulatory responses. Mastery helps answer questions on accountability, sustainability reporting, and policy measures against deceptive green claims.
📚 Reading List :
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 29: Environment Issues and Health Effects > 29.3.4. Greeenwashing > p. 418
🔗 Anchor: "Is the term "greenwashing" defined as non-inclusion of ecological/environmental ..."
👉 Green GDP and environmental accounting
💡 The insight
Green GDP adjusts traditional GDP by subtracting monetized costs of resource depletion and environmental degradation to reflect sustainable economic growth.
Crucial for questions on sustainable development and macroeconomic indicators; connects national accounting, policy evaluation, and climate economics. Understanding enables tackling questions on alternative indicators, trade-offs between growth and conservation, and state-level measurement initiatives.
📚 Reading List :
- Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 1: Fundamentals of Macro Economy > Green GDP: > p. 29
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 21: Sustainable Development and Climate Change > GREEN GDP > p. 606
🔗 Anchor: "Is the term "greenwashing" defined as non-inclusion of ecological/environmental ..."
👉 Ecological debt and inclusion of environmental costs
💡 The insight
Ecological debt captures social and environmental harms (including historical exploitation) and underpins the argument for including environmental costs in economic assessments.
Useful for UPSC topics on international environmental justice, climate negotiations, and development policy; links to biodiversity loss, transboundary impacts, and instruments like eco-auditing. Helps construct answers on equity, reparations, and sustainable resource management.
📚 Reading List :
- Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 6: Environmental Degradation and Management > EcoloGIcal dEBt. > p. 53
- Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 5: Biodiversity and Legislations > the Five Earth Summit agreements > p. 6
🔗 Anchor: "Is the term "greenwashing" defined as non-inclusion of ecological/environmental ..."
👉 Greenwashing: misleading environmental claims
💡 The insight
Greenwashing is the practice of making misleading or dubious claims about environmental action to improve image without substantive action.
High-yield for essays and ethics questions on corporate responsibility and climate governance; connects to policy evaluation, accountability, and climate rhetoric versus action. Mastering this helps answer questions on corporate/environmental governance and critique of sustainability claims.
📚 Reading List :
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 29: Environment Issues and Health Effects > 29.3.4. Greeenwashing > p. 418
🔗 Anchor: "Is the term "greenwashing" defined as ignoring the disastrous ecological consequ..."
Green Hushing: The logical opposite of Greenwashing. This is when companies intentionally keep quiet about their climate goals to avoid scrutiny or accusations of greenwashing. Also, 'Green Bleaching' (funds downplaying ESG roles to avoid regulatory hassle).
Etymology Hack: The suffix '-washing' comes from 'Whitewashing' (to cover up vices/crimes). Therefore, 'Greenwashing' must imply a deceptive cover-up using an eco-friendly facade. Option A is the only one describing a 'false impression' or deception. Options B and D are procedural/accounting methods, and Option C is negligence.
Link to GS-3 (Economy) & GS-4 (Ethics): Greenwashing is a failure of 'Corporate Governance' and 'Ethical Marketing'. In India, SEBI's BRSR (Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting) framework is the specific regulatory tool designed to curb greenwashing.