greenwash

Definition

A false or misleading picture of environmental friendliness used to conceal or obscure damaging activities.

Etymology

Blend of green (“environmentally friendly”) + whitewash (or green + -wash), coined by Jay Westerveld in 1986.

Example Sentences

• "People can be cynical about companies hiding behind green ideals, their radars finely tuned to detect a greenwash."
• "Greta Thunberg has blasted politicians as hypocrites and international climate summits as empty words and greenwash."