What does greenwashing refer to?

Greenwashing refers to the practice of promoting corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in a misleading manner, often to enhance a company's public image without making substantial changes to its environmental practices. Organizations that engage in greenwashing may highlight superficial environmental efforts or exaggerate their sustainability initiatives to distract from harmful environmentally damaging practices or to appeal to environmentally conscious consumers.

The phenomenon of greenwashing is particularly important to recognize because it can lead to consumer deception, where customers are led to believe that a company is more environmentally friendly than it actually is. This can undermine genuine efforts by businesses that are committed to authentic sustainability practices, as it creates confusion in the marketplace about what constitutes true environmental responsibility.

In contrast, the other options represent positive and genuine actions that contribute to sustainable business practices, such as honest CSR initiatives or actual improvements in environmental practices, which stand in contrast to the misleading nature of greenwashing.