Greenwashing Exposing greenwashing and pressuring companies to make real efforts to clean up

2 November 2012

Voting is open for the fifth edition of the Pinocchio Prize, from Friends of the Earth France. The awards continue to illustrate and denounce the negative impacts and activities of French companies in France, and abroad – companies that behave in total contradiction to the concept of sustainable development, despite boasting about their 'green' credentials.

Each year, following a public vote, Pinocchio prizes are awarded to three deserving companies in three categories:

France
23 June 2012

The first ever Belgian award for greenwashing was presented in Brussels today.

The prize is awarded to companies or organisations who present themselves as being greener than they really are. The prize was awarded during the 'Big Greenwash Circus', a conference about greenwashing which was organised by Climaxi, together with other organisations including Friends of the Earth Flanders & Brussels, Wervel, Fairfin, Corporate Europe Observatory, and 't Uilekot.

Belgium (Flanders & Brussels), Belgium (Wallonia & Brussels)

Greenwashing is when advertising, public relations and lobbying efforts are at odds with the real environmental impacts of the advertiser's activities.

Not only does greenwash influence the choices consumers make, it affects the views and behaviour of policy-makers. Friends of the Earth Europe seeks to expose greenwash and ensure decision-makers and the public have access to accurate information about companies and their interests.

For enquiries please contact:

  • Paul de Clerck
    • Agriculture

      Food and farming in Europe and its global impacts

    • Agrofuels

      Plant-based fuels from agriculture. Also known as biofuels

    • Biodiversity

      Species and habitat protection in Europe and around the globe

    • GMOs

      Genetically modified crops and organisms

    • Land

      Measuring Europe’s land footprint and tackling the drivers of land grabbing

    • Biodiversity

      Species and habitat protection in Europe and around the globe

    • Extractive industries

      Oil and gas exploration, and mining

    • Land

      Measuring Europe’s land footprint and tackling the drivers of land grabbing

    • Materials and waste

      Reducing, reusing and recycling resources

    • Resource use

      Europe’s consumption of land, materials, water and carbon

    • Shale gas

      Unconventional gas and the extraction process known as ‘fracking’

    • Tar sands

      Unconventional oil. Also known as oil sands

    • Water use

      Measuring Europe’s water footprint