Greenwashed

"the phenomena of socially and environmentally destructive corporations, attempting to preserve and expand their markets or power by posing as friends of the environment." (CorpWatch)

This is larger than the confines of a mere GROUP, this is a Justice League sort of association. We go forth and dig deep, pointing out blatant hypocrisy and dastardliness. Too often corporations present themselves to the public in an aura of greendom, responsible corporate citizens. Only well later does the hypocrisy come to light, if ever.

From the SourceWatch reference page on Greenwashing

"Greenwashing is the unjustified appropriation of environmental virtue by a company, an industry, a government, a politician or even a non-government organization to create a pro-environmental image, sell a product or a policy, or to try and rehabilitate their standing with the public and decision makers after being embroiled in controversy.

The U.S.-based watchdog group CorpWatch defines greenwash as "the phenomena of socially and environmentally destructive corporations, attempting to preserve and expand their markets or power by posing as friends of the environment." This definition was shaped by by the group's focus on corporate behaviour and the rise of corporate green advertising at the time. However, governments, political candidates, trade associations and non-government organizations have also been accused of greenwashing.

The 10th edition of the Concise Oxford English Dictionary defined greenwash as "disinformation disseminated by an organization so as to present an environmentally responsible public image. Derivatives greenwashing (n). Origin from 'green' on the pattern of 'whitewash'." "

It is becoming more and more pervasive, as corporate marketeers compete in the race to the bottom, the consequences of which are significant:

• Well-intentioned consumers may be misled into purchases that do not deliver on their environmental promise. This means both that the individual consumer has been misled and that the potential environmental benefit of his or her purchase has been squandered.

• Competitive pressure from illegitimate environmental claims takes market share away from products that offer more legitimate benefits, thus slowing the penetration of real environmental innovation in the marketplace.

• Greenwashing may create cynicism and doubt about all environmental claims. Consumers – particularly those who care most about real environmental progress – may give up on marketers and manufacturers, and give up on the hope that their spending
might be put to good use. This would eliminate a significant market-based, financial incentive for green product innovation and
leave committed environmental advocates with government regulations as the most likely
alternative.