Environmentalists have Filed a Lawsuit Against Dutch Airline KLM for 'Greenwashing.'

Environmental groups have filed a lawsuit against Dutch airline KLM, alleging that advertisements promoting the company's sustainability initiative are deceptive. According to the groups, this is the first lawsuit to challenge so-called airline industry "greenwashing."

They claim that KLM's advertisements and carbon-offsetting scheme give the false impression that its flights will not exacerbate climate change. However, KLM claims that its statements are "based on solid arguments" and that its advertisements "comply with the applicable legislation and regulations."

Fossielvrij NL, backed by ClientEarth and Reclame.NL, is targeting the company's Fly Responsibly campaign, which was launched in 2019. According to the campaign, the airline is "creating a more sustainable future" and is on track to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

It includes a CO2Zero carbon offset product, which KLM claims funds reforestation projects or the company's purchase of biofuels. Carbon offsets compensate for greenhouse gas emissions caused by polluting activities.

However, the groups argue that the claims are highly misleading. They claim that the airline's plan to resume pre-pandemic flight levels contradicts the latest report by the United Nations climate body, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which calls for a rapid reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Environmentalists refer to the advertising campaign as "greenwashing," or a deceptive attempt to make the company appear environmentally friendly.