Greenwashing audit and training for companies
Does your company communicate its sustainability initiatives? We can help you verify information about the environmental impact of your business activities and reduce the risk of greenwashing.
More companies are communicating their sustainability initiatives. At the same time, regulatory requirements and expectations from customers, investors and business partners regarding the reliability of ESG communications continue to grow.
Even the unintended use of vague or imprecise wording may be perceived as greenwashing and create legal, reputational and financial risks.
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We can help you review your environmental communications, reduce greenwashing risk and prepare your organisation to meet ESG-related requirements.
What is greenwashing?
Greenwashing involves communicating information in a way that may create the impression that a product or a company’s activities have a more positive environmental impact than the underlying facts and data actually support.
It most commonly involves vague claims, selective presentation of information or the use of environmental statements that have not been sufficiently verified.
Where does greenwashing risk most commonly arise?
- corporate websites,
- ESG and sustainability reports,
- advertising and marketing campaigns,
- product labels and packaging,
- social media,
- investor presentations,
- sales and proposal materials,
- press releases concerning ESG activities.
Greenwashing
5 most common practices used by companies
Is your company exposed to greenwashing risk?
Our service is designed for organisations that report ESG information, communicate sustainability initiatives or use environmental claims in their marketing.
We support companies that want to build credible communications and reduce the risk of greenwashing allegations.
We most often assist businesses that:
- prepare ESG or sustainability reports,
- promote environmentally friendly products or services,
- publish information concerning their environmental impact,
- communicate climate targets or decarbonisation initiatives,
- want to establish a structured process for reviewing ESG communications.
What challenges do companies face?
- vague or overly general environmental claims,
- insufficient data supporting marketing statements,
- inconsistencies between actual business activities and external communications,
- lack of procedures for approving ESG-related content,
- insufficient employee awareness of greenwashing risks.
Why should companies take action?
Unverified communications may lead to loss of trust among customers and investors, allegations of greenwashing, the need to withdraw marketing materials and the risk of proceedings initiated by the relevant authorities.
How can companies reduce greenwashing risk? Crowe support
Greenwashing risk can be reduced by reviewing ESG communications, implementing appropriate procedures and increasing employee awareness.
At Crowe, we help companies identify potential risks, assess environmental claims against applicable regulations and build credible communications based on facts and reliable data.
Companies looking for broader support can also explore Crowe’s ESG sustainability advisory services in Poland.
ESG communications and greenwashing risk audit
We carry out a comprehensive review of an organisation’s environmental communications. We pay particular attention to information published by the company regarding the environmental impact of its products and to statements concerning CO₂ emissions.
Our review may include:
- marketing materials,
- corporate websites,
- ESG reports,
- sustainability reports,
- investor presentations,
- product descriptions, labels and product information,
- environmental claims.
We assess whether communications are consistent with applicable regulations and recognised market practices.
Greenwashing prevention training
We provide practical training for:
- management boards,
- ESG teams,
- marketing teams,
- sales teams,
- PR teams,
- compliance teams,
- legal departments.
Protect the credibility of your ESG communications
Book greenwashing training for your organisation
Why Crowe?
We combine expertise across: ESG, audit, compliance, tax, risk management.
Our clients benefit from:
- a practical approach to regulatory requirements,
- support from Crowe Global experts present in more than 150 countries,
- experience in ESG-related projects,
- an approach combining regulatory, business and reputational considerations,
- recommendations that can be implemented in day-to-day operations.
Across many projects, we support companies in developing socially responsible ESG communications that are consistent with applicable regulations.
Crowe Poland also provides dedicated audit and assurance services as well as wider ESG advisory services.
Greenwashing audit or internal review?
Many companies attempt to assess internally whether their ESG communications comply with applicable regulations and whether they create a risk of greenwashing.
However, internal reviews are often limited to a marketing or legal perspective and may not provide a broader assessment covering ESG, compliance and market expectations.
The comparison below highlights the differences between an internal assessment and a greenwashing audit carried out by Crowe experts.
| Internal ESG communications review | Audyt greenwashingu Crowe |
|---|---|
| The review is mainly based on the knowledge and experience of employees in marketing or ESG teams. | Communications are analysed by an interdisciplinary team with expertise in ESG, compliance, audit and regulatory matters. |
| The assessment is conducted from the organisation’s internal perspective, which may make certain risks more difficult to identify. | We provide an independent and objective review of communications and identify areas that may require clarification or additional evidence. |
| It may be difficult to assess whether product or environmental claims are consistent with applicable regulations and recognised market practices. | We assess communications against current requirements and identify statements that may potentially be regarded as greenwashing. |
| Organisations often lack a standardised process for approving ESG communications and marketing materials. | We provide recommendations on communications review procedures and good practices that can reduce greenwashing risk. |
| The outcome is typically an internal assessment without formal conclusions or an action plan. | The client receives an audit report, a risk assessment and practical recommendations for corrective and preventive actions. |
| Internal teams may not have sufficient time to conduct a comprehensive review of all relevant materials. | We can review websites, ESG reports, marketing materials, product descriptions and other environmental communications within a single project. |
Greenwashing – FAQ
What is greenwashing?
Greenwashing is the communication of environmental initiatives in a way that may mislead audiences or overstate an organisation’s actual environmental impact.
Can greenwashing also affect B2B communications?
Yes. Greenwashing risk may arise in communications directed not only at consumers, but also at business partners, investors and financial institutions.
What does a greenwashing audit involve?
A greenwashing audit includes a review of ESG communications, identification of risks and recommendations aimed at reducing the use of vague or unverifiable environmental claims.
Who should participate in greenwashing training?
Training is particularly relevant for management boards, marketing, sales, ESG, compliance and PR teams, as well as employees responsible for preparing reports and communication materials.
Does the audit also cover an ESG report?
Yes. We can review an ESG report for consistency of communications and potential greenwashing risk.
Companies requiring broader support with sustainability disclosures can also use Crowe’s ESG reporting services.
How long does a greenwashing audit take?
The scope and timeline depend on the number of materials to be reviewed and the size of the organisation.
Looking to reduce greenwashing risk in your organisation?
If your company communicates environmental claims, publishes sustainability information or wants to prepare its teams for growing regulatory scrutiny, Crowe can help assess the risk and identify practical changes.