Twenty-one European airlines have pledged to revise their environmental marketing practices following intervention by the European Commission and the Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC) Network, which found several claims to be misleading.
The dialogue, coordinated by the Commission alongside consumer authorities from Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway, and Spain, led to commitments from airlines including Air France, KLM, Lufthansa, Ryanair, EasyJet, Finnair, SWISS, SAS, TAP, Austrian Airlines, and Wizz Air, among others.
The airlines have agreed to stop suggesting that carbon emissions from specific flights can be neutralised, offset, or directly reduced through consumer payments to climate projects or contributions for alternative fuels.
Key changes include:
- Clarifying that CO₂ emissions from flights cannot be neutralised through consumer contributions.
- Using the term sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) only when appropriately substantiated.
- Avoiding vague or misleading environmental terminology.
- Providing transparent information on claims about future climate goals, including timelines and measurable steps.
- Disclosing CO₂ calculations clearly and providing supporting scientific evidence.
National consumer authorities will monitor how promptly these commitments are implemented, and enforcement actions may follow if airlines fail to comply. The CPC Network also plans to review other carriers operating in the EU Single Market to ensure consistent standards across the aviation industry.
The action stems from a June 2023 complaint by the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC), which accused 17 airlines of greenwashing. The move reinforces the EU’s focus on tackling misleading environmental claims and ensuring fair competition under the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive (UCPD).
