Today, the European Consumer Organization BEUC and 23 member organizations from 19 countries have filed a complaint to the European Commission and the network of consumer protection authorities (CPC) against 17 European airlines for misleading climate claims. BEUC's legal analysis showed that false claims that mislead consumers into believing that flying is sustainable, when it is not and unlikely to become so in the near future, violate EU rules on the ground of unfair commercial practices.
BEUC calls for a Europe-wide investigation regarding the issue and recommends that CPC authorities take action to ensure that airlines reimburse their customers accordingly, in cases where they have introduced additional 'green' fees based on such misleading claims.
These are some of the misleading practices targeting consumers:
- Claims that paying extra can 'offset', 'neutralize', or 'compensate' CO2 emissions from flights are inaccurate, as the climate benefits of offsetting activities are uncertain while the harm caused by air travel emissions is certain.
- Airlines mislead consumers by charging them more to contribute to the development of 'Sustainable Aviation Fuels' (SAFs), despite these fuels not being market-ready. EU legislation has set low targets for their usage in aircraft fuel, meaning SAFs will only represent a minor share in planes' kerosene tanks until they become widely available, likely beyond the 2030s.
- Implying that air travel can be 'sustainable', 'responsible', or 'green' is deceptive. None of the strategies employed by the aviation sector can currently mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. It is crucial to cease these claims as air traffic is projected to increase, leading to continued emissions growth for years to come.
Ursula Pachl, BEUC’s Deputy Director General of BEUC, commented: "When it is crystal clear that air travel causes a significant and increasing share of greenhouse gas emissions, it almost unbelievable that airlines freely lure consumers with climate-friendly messaging such as 'CO2 compensated' or 'CO2 neutral'. We urge authorities to take the matter into their hands and crack down on this greenwashing practice seriously misleading consumers. Whether you pay a 'green fare' or not, your flight will still emit climate-harmful gases. Technological solutions to decarbonize aviation won’t become a massive-scale reality any time soon, so depicting flying as a sustainable mode of transport is pure greenwashing. At a time when many want to travel more sustainably, airlines should urgently stop offering consumers a fake peace of mind. Shifting consumer demand towards more sustainable transport modes is critical to cut emissions. Airlines must stop giving consumers the false impression that they are choosing a sustainable transport mode. In addition, decision makers must push for solutions to provide consumers with reliable, attractive, and sustainable alternatives such as higher-quality long-distance rail connections."
Source: BEUC
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