climate change

This Is Greenwashing: Seeing clearly in a world of green fog

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A guide to protecting yourself from false sustainability claims: Spot the lies, demand better


In a world of green fog, we’re surrounded by claims like “eco-friendly,” “carbon neutral,” and “sustainable.”
Sound familiar?

These buzzwords are everywhere, but how many of them are actually true?

Have you ever felt uneasy after buying a product labelled sustainable or eco? You’re not alone.
If you’ve ever felt misled by so-called green marketing, so have we. 
After years of watching brands twist language to appear greener than they are, we decided to write something clear, honest, and useful.

Seeing clearly in a world of green fog: Book cover of This is Greenwashing by Rosita and Cristina Cigliola. The design features bold, minimalist typography with green, pink, and white tones on a black background, highlighting themes of sustainability and deception. 'This is' appears in green; the words 'green', 'eco-friendly', 'conscious', and 'sustainable' are in pink but crossed out; and 'greenwashing' is in green. The subtitle and authors’ names are in white, standing out against the dark base.
This is Greenwashing: our e-book is out now!

Why this book exists


This Is Greenwashing isn’t a textbook.
It’s a guide born from frustration — and from a deep desire to empower.

“The most environmentally sustainable product is the one that never gets made.”

We’re Rosita and Cristina Cigliola, sisters with nearly 30 years in the fashion industry. We’ve seen greenwashing up close — how it misleads consumers and delays real change.

In recent years, especially after the pandemic, we’ve watched companies slap vague eco-labels on products while businesses carried on as usual. Greenwashing keeps consumers confused, compliant, and complicit in a broken system.

This e-book reveals the tactics behind the buzzwords. It helps you recognise what’s real and what’s not. You’ll learn how to decode vague claims, ask the right questions, and stop being manipulated by marketing.
Because when regulation fails, awareness becomes our strongest line of defence.

The bottom line: In a world of green fog, awareness is power


We wrote This Is Greenwashing to:

✔ Expose the tricks brands use to manipulate you
✔ Decode the jargon so you can spot lies at a glance
✔ Give you practical tools to make informed choices—no PhD required

In a world of green fog, knowledge is crucial. Awareness is power.
The more you know, the harder it is for companies to fool you.
And right now—with regulators stepping back and failing to protect us—we need that power more than ever.

📘 Get your e-book here — at your favourite digital store:  https://books2read.com/u/bpgxOX

📣 And if it helps, please leave a review — it truly means a lot.

“This is greenwashing’s greatest crime: distracting us with false solutions as the planet burns.”

Spot the lies. Demand better.

P.S. Share this with someone who’s ever asked: “But is this actually sustainable?”  🌍

🇮🇹 Versione italiana in arrivo — stay tuned!

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As Europe retreats, we push forward: Our e-book This is Greenwashing is out now

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With the EU abandoning its key anti-greenwashing law, the need for awareness is urgent


Just as the EU quietly pulls the plug on the Green Claims Directive, we release This Is Greenwashing.
Coincidence? Perhaps.
But the timing reveals something deeper: a deliberate effort to keep consumers confused, misled, and compliant with business-as-usual.

What the directive was


The Green Claims Directive was designed to combat vague and misleading environmental claims. It aimed to bring transparency, honesty, and accountability to sustainability marketing across the EU. It would have required companies to back up claims like “eco-friendly” or “carbon neutral” with solid, verifiable evidence.
But the EU has withdrawn the proposal.

Italy, backed by other opposing Member States and mounting pressure from right-wing forces, blocked the directive. The final trilogue negotiations were cancelled. A step forward became a step back.
And so, without legal safeguards, we’re left with a regulatory vacuum—one that favours those who profit from ambiguity. Greenwashing wins a round.
But this is where we come in.

Book cover of This is Greenwashing by Rosita and Cristina Cigliola. The design features bold, minimalist typography with green, pink, and white tones on a black background, highlighting themes of sustainability and deception. 'This is' appears in green; the words 'green', 'eco-friendly', 'conscious', and 'sustainable' are in pink but crossed out; and 'greenwashing' is in green. The subtitle and authors’ names are in white, standing out against the dark base.

Why we wrote This Is Greenwashing


In a world flooded with eco-labels and sustainability buzzwords, it’s harder than ever to know what’s real.
In This Is Greenwashing, we—sisters Rosita and Cristina Cigliola, with nearly three decades of fashion industry experience—expose the tactics brands use to manipulate perception. We offer a clear, honest guide to understanding what greenwashing is, how it works, and how to see through it.

This isn’t an academic manual. It’s a practical tool to help you protect yourself from false claims and make truly informed choices. Because when regulation fails, awareness becomes our first line of defence.

📘 Our e-book is available now in digital stores.


If you’re tired of being misled by vague “eco-friendly” claims, This is Greenwashing is your guide to seeing clearly through the green fog.
Let’s not retreat.
Let’s read, question, and resist.

🌍 Get your copy here and leave a review:  https://books2read.com/u/bpgxOX

P.S.: 📖 Versione italiana presto disponibile.

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Italy blocks EU’s Green Claims Directive, stalling anti-greenwashing regulation

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The demise of the directive and what it means for Europe’s fight against greenwashing


The regulatory landscape is growing increasingly opaque as European policymakers retreat from anti-greenwashing regulation. Most notably, they have blocked the proposed Green Claims Directive—a central piece of legislation aimed at tackling greenwashing.

The European Commission recently announced its intention to withdraw the proposal, citing opposition from several Member States and mounting pressure from right-wing groups in the European Parliament. Italy played a decisive role in this setback by pulling its support, effectively torpedoing the final trilogue negotiations—an essential step in EU lawmaking. The move has drawn criticism from environmental organisations and consumer advocacy groups alike.

Anti-greenwashing regulation: What the directive aimed to do


At its core, the Green Claims Directive aimed to curb misleading environmental claims made by companies. The goal was to bring greater honesty and clarity to sustainability communications and product labelling across the EU. Key measures included:

  • Transparency and verifiability: Authorities would require companies to provide concrete, verifiable evidence to back up environmental claims.
  • Ban on vague language: Terms such as “eco-friendly”, “sustainable”, or “carbon neutral” would no longer be permitted unless backed by robust data.
  • Clearer labelling: Environmental labels would need to be comprehensible, standardised, and meaningful to consumers.
  • Stronger consumer protection: The directive aimed to shield consumers from unfair and deceptive marketing practices related to sustainability.

Italy’s role and the reasons behind the withdrawal


The Italian government, under Giorgia Meloni, openly opposed the directive. The stated rationale was to reduce bureaucratic burdens and additional costs for businesses—especially small and medium-sized enterprises, which account for a significant share of the EU economy.
However, critics argue this reflects a broader political alignment with efforts to dilute environmental regulations. Some even suggest that Commission President Ursula von der Leyen coordinated the decision, raising further doubts about the EU’s commitment to its own Green Deal ambitions.

The fallout: Consequences and concerns


The withdrawal of the directive has far-reaching implications:

  • Cancellation of the trilogue: The final negotiation round between EU institutions was scrapped.
  • Public backlash: Environmental groups and consumer associations expressed deep disappointment, calling it a significant regression.
  • Regulatory vacuum: Without a clear legal framework, companies may continue to engage in greenwashing with minimal accountability.

Anti-greenwashing regulation – Final thoughts


In essence, rejecting the Green Claims Directive marks a troubling pause in Europe’s push for transparent and honest environmental communication. In fact, it casts doubt on the political will to challenge deceptive sustainability claims and to protect consumers from being misled.

For a continent that once positioned itself as a global leader in green policy, the retreat of anti-greenwashing regulation sends a worrying message.

What do you think? Is this a political misstep or a deeper shift away from sustainability commitments?
Leave a comment below (you’ll need to register first). Or DM @suite123 | WhatsApp | e.mail

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Sustainable packaging, unsustainable fashion: A broken system in a green box

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Bain & Company’s report exposes fashion’s latest eco-effort—does it go far enough?


Sustainable packaging is the next frontier for luxury brands. A recent report by Bain & Company, in collaboration with Fedrigoni Group — a global manufacturer of specialty papers, self-adhesive materials, and RFID (radio frequency identification) technologies — highlights how sustainability is becoming a real competitive edge in high-end packaging.

Sustainable packaging — fashion’s latest eco-effort


According to Luxury Packaging: Resolving the Tension Between Creativity and Impact, more than 30% of luxury packaging sales will rely on sustainable solutions within the next three years.

The report is based on a survey of over 500 companies across the luxury packaging value chain — including designers, manufacturers, distributors, and luxury brands themselves. As Bain & Company puts it: 

“We found clear signs that sustainability has risen in importance.”

Key insights include:
• A reduction in packaging size will lead the charge in improving supply chain sustainability
• Sustainable packaging revenue will grow in the next three years
• Innovation will heavily focus on advanced paper solutions

Despite the importance of the tactile experience in the luxury world, brands are becoming more conscious of their environmental responsibilities.

Final thoughts: The packaging is sustainable—too bad fashion isn’t


Of course, packaging is part of the solution. Cutting down on excess and switching to better materials is a positive step. But here’s the real question: are these companies ready to address the elephant in the room?
In case anyone missed it, the elephant is overproduction.

Because unless the industry tackles the systemic issue of producing too much, too fast, it’s just a case of sustainable packaging for an unsustainable fashion system.
The box may be green—but what’s inside remains the problem.

Ultimately, put in these terms, it leads us to say: this is greenwashing.

What do you think?
Leave a comment below and let’s talk about it — (you’ll need to register first).

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Earth Day 2025: Our power, our planet

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The state of the planet: Actions, not marketing


Earth Day 2025 arrived yesterday with a powerful theme: Our Power, Our Planet™. For 55 years, this movement has driven global awareness and action, uniting over a billion people across 192 countries. The vision is clear—a future powered by clean, sustainable energy. The solutions exist. The urgency is undeniable.

Yet progress is uneven. While renewable energy advances, fossil fuel subsidies persist, policies lag, and ecosystems suffer. Hope isn’t enough—we need accountability.

Our Power, Our Planet™ – Earth day 2025


For 55 years, Earth Day has led the world in educating and mobilising the public to take action to address critically important environmental issues. They are global advocates for the health of the planet, calling for the protection of our air, oceans, soil, ecosystems, wildlife, and human health.

April 22nd, 2025 marks a milestone: the 55th anniversary of Earth Day. 

Grassroots action has always been Earth Day’s strength. This year, the movement celebrates a transformative truth: renewable energy isn’t a distant dream. Solar, wind, and geothermal technologies are here, ready to build a healthier, fairer future.

Triple renewable energy by 2030


They call for global renewable energy generation to triple by 2030—a goal with universal appeal. Yet, we witness contradictory policies: massive subsidies for fossil fuels, approval of new oil and gas projects, and sluggish transitions in key economies. This has to change.

Progress worth celebrating

  • The U.S. set solar records in 2023, with Texas leading in wind energy.
  • China’s wind and solar capacity dwarfs the rest of the world.
  • Uruguay generates 98% of its electricity from renewables.
  • Kenya powers nearly half its grid with geothermal energy.
  • One-third of Australian homes use solar power.

Despite this, fossil fuel expansion persists. The contradiction is stark.

Renewables are smart economics


Solar costs have plummeted by 93% since 2010, often outcompeting fossil fuels. This is no longer just about the environment. It’s about smart economics. Yet, governments still fund outdated energy. Why? Outdated infrastructure, entrenched interests, and political inertia.

Health & economic benefits


Clean energy isn’t just about the climate. It’s about health and economic benefits:

  • Less air pollution = fewer heart attacks, strokes, asthma, and cancer.
  • Cleaner water = lower risk of waterborne disease.
  • Energy equity = access to electricity for 3.8 billion people still below the Modern Energy Minimum.
  • Renewables could create 14 million jobs globally.
  • The sector was worth $1.21 trillion in 2023—and is growing fast.

Meanwhile, fossil fuels continue to pollute air and water sources, particularly harming vulnerable communities, andprioritising profits over people.

Cutting emissions at the source


According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration:

  • Petroleum made up 38% of U.S. energy use in 2023, and 47% of CO2 emissions.
  • Natural gas: 36% of use, 37% of emissions.
  • Coal: 9% of use, 16% of emissions.

Fossil fuels drive 90% of U.S. CO₂ emissions. The math is clear: fossil fuels are the problem. The solution? Cut them at the source.

Critics speak out: “Progress or greenwashing?”


Some warn that celebrating achievements risks complacency. Key indicators—global temperatures, extinction rates—still spiral due to human activity. Efforts so far haven’t reversed these trends.

Others accuse corporations and leaders of greenwashing: using Earth Day to tout empty eco-claims while accelerating destruction. As Greta Thunberg noted in 2022: “Earth Day has turned into an opportunity for people in power to post their ‘love’ for the planet, while destroying it at maximum speed.”

Earth Day organisers agree. Kathleen Rogers told the BBC: “We know greenwashing is infuriating. Governments must crack down on industries lying to consumers.”

Earth Day 2025 – The power of people


Real change comes from collective action—voting, protesting, innovating. Because while many leaders talk, it is individuals and communities who are making the difference. Earth Day is unstoppable because it’s powered by people, not PR.

This Earth Day 2025, support the rapid transition to renewables — solar, wind, hydro, tidal, and geothermal. From government to grassroots, from cities to farms, from schools to factories: this is everyone’s fight.

The planet can’t wait. Be part of the change.

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