Which one of the following best describes the term "greenwashing" ?

Gives the standard definition of 'greenwashing' as misleading or dubious claims by companies or countries about their climate action.

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.

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.

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.

Explains how Green GDP is calculated by subtracting natural consumption/environmental degradation costs from GDP, and notes measurement challenges.

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.

The Earth Charter excerpt emphasizes inclusion of environmental costs in economic assessments as an ethical principle.

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.

Points out mainstream economics and decision-makers often ignore societal (environmental) costs and benefits, highlighting the concept of unaccounted externalities.

Combining this with the greenwashing definition, a student might hypothesize that systematic non-inclusion of environmental externalities in official accounts enables or constitutes greenwashing.

Gives an explicit definitional pattern: greenwashing refers to misleading or dubious claims about climate action to boost image and reap benefits.

A student could extend this to test whether projects that claim environmental friendliness while causing harm fit the pattern of misrepresentation.

Defines 'eco-development' as development consistent with regional ecological potentials and rational use of natural resources — a normative standard opposite to ignoring ecological consequences.

A student could compare project practices to this standard to judge if claimed 'green' projects actually maintain ecological balance or instead ignore it.

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.

Using this case, a student could examine whether promoters portrayed the project as beneficial while evidence showed ecological harm, which would resemble greenwashing behavior.

Defines 'green economy' as aiming to reduce environmental risks and protect biodiversity — sets expectations for what genuine green claims should mean.

A student could use this definition to assess whether infrastructure labeled 'green' actually reduces risks and protects biodiversity or merely claims to do so.

Gives an explicit definition of 'greenwashing' as misleading or dubious claims by companies or countries about their climate action.

A student could contrast this definition with the idea of formal mandatory provisions to see that greenwashing refers to image/manipulation, not statutory requirements.

Describes Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as an 'imperative requirement' before major projects and as an inventory/accounting of environmental inputs/outputs.

Use this to show that mandatory environmental provisions are formal regulatory processes (EIA) distinct from promotional/misleading acts called greenwashing.

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.

A student could extend this to argue mandatory provisions are legal/statutory mechanisms, unlike the deceptive practices implied by greenwashing.

Explains procedural specifics of grant of environmental clearance, including mandatory prior informed consent and clear language for conditions.

Shows concrete mandatory steps and obligations in government processes, reinforcing that 'making mandatory provisions' is a regulatory action distinct from 'greenwashing.'

Describes an official government labelling scheme (ECO MARK) to recognize genuine environmental performance of products.

A student can use this to contrast official certification/standards (verifiable) with greenwashing (misleading claims lacking such verification).