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The Evolving Face of Greenwashing: Uncovering the Dark Side of Corporate Social Responsibility

Mr. Rupam Dhani*

Assistant Professor, Brainware University, Kolkata

rupamdhani@gmail.com

Dr. Manish Kumar

Associate Professor, Brainware University, Kolkata

manishkumar.kumar213@gmail.com

*Cooresponding Author:

Rupam Dhani, Assistant Professor, Brainware University, Kolkata

398, Ramkrishnapur Road, Barasat, Near Jagadighata Market, Kolkata, West Bengal 700125

Abstract

The act of businesses or organizations deceiving customers about the environmental advantages of their goods, services, or methods is known as "Greenwashing." Rather than implementing significant, beneficial environmental changes, they make ambiguous promises or engage in misleading marketing to give the erroneous impression that you are environmentally responsible. This essay aims to address the following inquiries for research:
What are the concepts of Greenwashing conceptually and how have they changed throughout time?

·                  What category does Greenwashing fall under?

·                  What is the impact of Greenwashing on society?

The structure of the literature study is as follows, a systematic literature review is an organized, thorough review of the body of knowledge on a particular subject. One involves a systematic search, appraisal and synthesis of pertinent research with the goal of formulating an unbiased summary of the evidence, charting areas of weakness and indicating ways to further study or application.

Greenwashing caught on because current stakeholders find it intriguing, but it always betrays the positive impact on society. In this case, duty of government or authorities is to protect the public. The paper, therefore, stressed the significance of micro and macro policies and/or regulatory frameworks that the host governments and their appointed institutions together put in place, as well as strictly enforce, harking back to the existing, well established practices aimed at neutralising the negative impacts of greenwashing, focusing on publications from the social sciences mostly from wealthy Western countries.

This restriction offers a chance to expand research to the world's developing nations and in India, where it's possible for greenwashing to surface, particularly in the early stages of industrial development.

Keywords: Greenwashing, Green Marketing, Environmental issues, Corporate Social Responsibility