Aviation giant KLM to face legal action in first major challenge to airline industry ‘greenwashing’

Environmental groups on Tuesday launched legal action against KLM, saying the Dutch aviation giant is misleading the public over the sustainability of flying. It is thought to be the first time that the airline industry has been challenged over so-called “greenwashing.” Netherlands-based campaigners Fossielvrij NL, supported by Reclame Fossielvrij and environmental lawyers from ClientEarth, argue that KLM’s advertising campaigns and “compensation” schemes violate European consumer law by giving a false impression about the sustainability of its flights and its plans to tackle climate breakdown. KLM was notified of the lawsuit on the same day as the firm’s annual general meeting. “KLM’s marketing misleads consumers into believing that its flights won’t worsen the climate emergency. But this is a myth,” said Hiske Arts, campaigner at Fossielvrij NL. “We’re going to court to demand KLM tells the truth about its fossil-fuel dependent product. Unchecked flying is one of the fastest ways to heat up the planet,” Arts said. “Customers need to be informed and protected from claims that suggest it is not.” Climate litigation has notched a number of notable wins in recent months, with a dramatic increase in cases seen targeting a wider variety of private sector and financial actors. The greenwashing case against KLM is thought to be the first corporate lawsuit about airlines and net zero — and one of the first cases about carbon offsets.<br/>