A large-scale complaint has been filed with the European Commission against numerous airlines, including Brussels Airlines, for their "misleading greenwashing claims."
A total of 21 European consumer rights organisations (including Belgian organisation Test Achats) are filing a complaint with the Commission and the Consumer Protection Cooperation Network against 17 airlines, including those in the Lufthansa group (Brussels Airlines), Air France, KLM and Ryanair. They are calling for action and an investigation into their unfair commercial practices concerning "misleading greenwashing claims".
Several airlines have promoted trips by advertising that "it is possible to fly 'green' or 'sustainable'". Brussels Airlines, for example, offers passengers the option to pay extra to "neutralise" their flights' CO2 emissions. Others allow them to pay a contribution for the development of 'sustainable aviation fuel', which is not yet ready to be commercialised on a large scale.
"Whether passengers pay a 'green fare' or not, their flight still emits gases that are harmful to the climate," said spokesperson for Test Achats Laura Clays, adding that "none of the strategies employed by the airline industry can prevent greenhouse gas emissions."
"Unfortunately, technological solutions to decarbonise aviation will not become a large-scale reality any time soon. Airlines must therefore stop giving consumers the impression that they are choosing a sustainable mode of transport."
Greener future possible?
The organisations have argued that passengers should be reimbursed for these surcharges to 'fly green'. Regarding the claims made by Brussels Airlines, Test Achats has also contacted the Belgian economic inspectorate.
Instead, to reduce emissions, they stressed that it is essential to steer consumers towards more sustainable modes of transport. "Our politicians must promote solutions that offer consumers reliable, attractive and sustainable alternatives, such as better-quality long-distance train connections."
Tweet translation: "Flying green is impossible": European complaint against airlines such as Brussels Airlines, KLM and Ryanair for 'greenwashing'. I agree that there are efforts to reduce the climate impact of aviation. But 'flying green' is still a long way off...
Brussels Airlines responded that it has not yet received the complaint itself and so cannot respond to it substantively. "After official receipt, we will carefully analyse and follow up on the complaint," said airline spokesperson Joëlle Neeb.
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She added that Brussels Airlines and parent group Lufthansa are aware of their carbon footprint and that their ambition is to reduce CO2 emissions by half by 2030 compared to 2019. By 2050, they aim to be carbon-neutral.
"Sustainable jet fuel, fleet renewal, operational efficiency, intermodality and a Single European Sky are the key levers for reducing aviation's impact," she claimed.
