In attempting to answer the call from the European Supervisory Authorities – the European Banking Authority, the European Securities and Markets Authority, and the European Insurance and Occupation Pensions Authority – who have requested information, evidence, and analysis on the concept and effect of ‘greenwashing’, this report presents an overarching picture of the concept. It also provides key examples of the real-life machinations of the concept, together with a contextual analysis of the drivers of greenwashing. To accentuate this, the report also provides analysis of the surrounding infrastructure that greenwashing needs to thrive, with the purpose being to demonstrate for the ESAs the key undertones that regulators may wish to consider. The report concludes with a small number of recommendations for regulatory policymakers, and a collection of impactful and pioneering research into the concept for the benefit of regulators and interested parties.

This report is co-produced by Ben McQuhae & Co, the Blended Capital Group and the Credit Rating Research Initiatives.