Twenty-one airlines have committed to change their practices regarding environmental claims that were considered misleading following dialogue with the EU Commission and national consumer protection authorities.
EC executive vice-president Henna Virkkunen welcomed the commitment made by the airlines to change their practices. “This dialogue is an encouraging acknowledgement of the responsibility we share to provide consumers with truthful information and to work toward genuine improvements in reducing the environmental impact of aviation,” she said.
Eir Baltic, Air Dolomiti, Air France, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings, Easyjet, Finnair, KLM, Lufthansa, Luxair, Norwegian, Ryanair, SAS, SWISS, TAP, Transavia France, Transavia CV, Volotea, Vueling, and Wizz Air have all agreed to introduce changes in their practices.
These airlines have now committed to stop claiming that the CO2 emissions of a specific flight could be neutralised, offset, or directly reduced by consumer financial contributions to climate protection projects or for the use of alternative aviation fuels.
The following commitments were discussed with the airlines:
- Clarifying that the CO2 emissions of a specific flight cannot be neutralised, offset, or directly reduced by contributions to climate protection projects or alternative aviation fuels;
- Using the term ‘sustainable aviation fuels’ only with appropriate clarifications to substantiate it;
- Refraining from using vague green language or terminology, or any implicit environmental claims;
- Providing more information on claims about future environmental performance – such as achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions – with clear timelines, achievable steps, and the types of emissions concerned;
- Ensuring that any CO2 emissions calculations are displayed in a clear and transparent way;
- Providing sufficient scientific evidence and information to support claims of improved environmental impact.
National consumer protection authorities say they will monitor the timely implementation of these commitments as per the timeline communicated by each airline.
The authorities may also proceed with enforcement measures against airlines that have not provided sufficient commitments or fail to correctly implement these commitments.
Table of the commitments of airlines
Consumer Protection Cooperation Network
Sustainable Consumption actions
Action against 20 airlines for misleading greenwashing practices
