Twenty-one European airlines agree to modify their practices regarding environmental claims following dialogue with the Commission and national consumer protection authorities

Twenty-one airlines have committed to change their practices regarding environmental claims that were considered misleading by the Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC) Network. This follows a dialogue with the European Commission and the CPC network, led by the Belgian Directorate General for Economic Inspection, the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets, the Norwegian Consumer Authority and the Spanish Directorate General of Consumer Affairs.

Air Baltic, Air Dolomiti, Air France, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings, Easyjet, Finnair, KLM, Lufthansa, Luxair, Norwegian, Ryanair, SAS, SWISS, TAP, Transavia France, Transavia CV, Volotea, Vueling, and Wizz Air all agreed to introduce changes in their practices.
All these airlines have committed to stop claiming that the CO₂ emissions of a specific flight could be neutralised, offset, or directly reduced by consumer financial contributions to climate protection projects or for the use of alternative aviation fuels.

The following commitments were discussed with the airlines:
• Clarifying that the CO₂ emissions of a specific flight cannot be neutralised, offset, or directly reduced by contributions to climate protection projects or alternative aviation fuels;
• Using the term ‘sustainable aviation fuels' only with appropriate clarifications to substantiate it;
• Refraining from using vague green language or terminology, or any implicit environmental claims;
• Providing more information on claims about future environmental performance – such as achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions – with clear timelines, achievable steps, and the types of emissions concerned;
• Ensuring that any CO₂ emissions calculations are displayed in a clear and transparent way;
• Providing sufficient scientific evidence and information to support claims of improved environmental impact.

Next steps
National consumer protection authorities will monitor the timely implementation of these commitments as per the timeline communicated by each airline.

National Consumer authorities may also proceed with enforcement measures against airlines that have not provided sufficient commitments or fail to correctly implement these commitments.

To ensure fair competition and a level playing field in the aviation industry, the Network will also assess the practices of other airlines operating in the Single Market, and where necessary, will require the same commitments.

Background
In June 2023, the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC), issued an alert denouncing misleading environmental claims by 17 European airlines. The dialogue with the airlines was coordinated by the European Commission and the authorities of the CPC network.

Articles 5, 6 and 7 of the Directive concerning unfair business-to-consumer commercial practices in the internal market prohibit unfair commercial practices in the form of misleading actions and omissions. The European Commission's Guidance Notice on the interpretation and application of the UCPD provides guidance on which environmental claims can be considered misleading.

For more information
European Commission‘s press release

Table of the commitments of airlines
Consumer Protection Cooperation Network
Sustainable Consumption actions
Action against 20 airlines for misleading greenwashing practices