Q80 · UPSC Prelims 2022 · Set A · Current Affairs and GK

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Which one of the following best describes the term "greenwashing"?

A Conveying a false impression that a company's products are eco-friendly and environmentally sound
B Non-inclusion of ecological/environmental costs in the Annual Financial Statements of a country.
C Ignoring the disastrous ecological consequences while undertaking infrastructure development.
D Making mandatory provision for environmental costs in a government project/programme.

Correct answer: (a) Conveying a false impression that a company's products are eco-friendly and environmentally sound

Explanation

  1. A

    Conveying a false impression that a company's products are eco-friendly and environmentally sound

    A false impression that products are eco-friendly. That is greenwashing.

  2. B

    Non-inclusion of ecological/environmental costs in the Annual Financial Statements of a country.

    Leaving ecological costs out of national accounts. A genuine accounts issue, not the term.

  3. C

    Ignoring the disastrous ecological consequences while undertaking infrastructure development.

    Ignoring ecology in infrastructure. Bad practice, not the label.

  4. D

    Making mandatory provision for environmental costs in a government project/programme.

    Mandating environmental costs in government projects. The opposite of a wash.

Summary. Official key is (a). Greenwashing is marketing a company or product as greener than it is. It is not a national-accounts identity, a planning failure, or a mandatory eco-cost rule.