greenwashing
/ˈɡriːnwɒʃɪŋ/
Definition
The practice of falsely representing an organization or project as environmentally friendly or climate-conscious to gain funding or public favor while failing to demonstrate genuine sustainable impact.
Etymology
The term is a portmanteau of 'green' (referencing environmentalism) and 'whitewashing' (the act of glossing over or covering up unpleasant facts). It was coined by environmentalist Jay Westerveld in 1986 to describe the deceptive marketing of sustainability in the hotel industry.
In the news
In this article, 'greenwashing' is listed as a specific category of project that funders explicitly exclude from consideration, ensuring that grants only go to initiatives with verifiable environmental impact. This filter protects the integrity of climate-focused capital by screening out entities that use superficial sustainability claims to hide conventional or harmful practices.
Agriculture, Climate, Environment, Energy & Food: July 2026 Funding Opportunities (51 new opportunities!)
Read the full article ↗Substack