CORPORATE GREENWASHING: THE REPUTATIONAL RISK AND LEGISLATIVE SOLUTIONS (KEY IJP************442)

• Gursimran Kaur,Dr. Jasleen Kaur

Abstract

Public discourse on environmental responsibility and sustainability continues to pressure corporations, especially those portrayed as key contributors to environmental harm. Greenwashing is a strategy companies adopt to engage in symbolic communications with environmental issues without substantially addressing them. This paper comprehensively gives a glimpse into the concept of greenwashing and relates it throughout with the well-known Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) phenomenon. It also raises awareness about corporate greenwashing among various stakeholders, and how CSR aesthetics helps in creating green or sustainable illusions of the companies. Finally, the effect of greenwashing on a corporates reputation or image has been discussed in the paper along with the legislative solutions grounded in comparative law for limiting the greenwashing behavior to protect the companys reputation. The findings of the study revealed the dark side of CSR activities of companies which in turn harms the goodwill of the companies. There is a need for honest efforts from the companies side as well as a proper legislative framework for avoiding greenwashing. Companiesvalues and policies should focus on preventing false claims and must have a better monitoring and communication system to improve the reputation.