“Compensate your flights”, “travel more sustainably”, “offset your carbon emissions”, “towards more climate neutral aviation”… These are a few examples of claims that many consumers see nowadays when booking a flight. Airlines argue that flying can be sustainable. Is that really the case?

European consumer Authorities (the CPC-Network) recently voiced concerns about suspected greenwashing practices from a highly polluting sector. This action, coordinated by the Belgian, Norwegian, Spanish and Dutch authorities and supported by the European Commission, followed a complaint by 23 consumer organisations in June 2023.

In March 2024, the Dutch Court issued the first judgment on similar practices, finding that the airline KLM’s green advertising claims breached consumer law. The complaint was brought by Dutch climate campaign organisations Fossielvrij and Reclame Fossielvrij, with the support of ClientEarth.

Join our online event to hear from and exchange with expert speakers on whether airlines’ claims are based on sound evidence and can be trusted.

17 September 2024 | 16:00-17:30 CET | ONLINE

Opening remarks by Pauline Constant (BEUC) and Jonathan White (ClientEarth)

Panel debate with:

• Derik Broekhoff (Stockholm Environment Institute)
• Clemens Kaupa (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)
• Hiske Arts (Fossielvrij)
• Finlay Asher (Safe Landing)
• Erin Vera (Transport & Environment)

Q&A with audience

Concluding remarks by BEUC Spanish member CECU.

This event will be moderated by Sam Morgan (journalist).