Abstract
As the world’s population continues to grow, especially among developing countries, low-cost and efficient maritime transport has a vital role to play in growth and sustainable development. Due to growing concerns about climate change and stringent constraints on the environment, the appeal of environmentally friendly products and services has captivated the public’s eye. As the general public is growing more concerned about the state of the environment, more corporations are adopting sustainable practices to stay in their good faith. Unfortunately, this trend may have a dark side. This article delves into the heart of the matter, dissecting the intense heat surrounding green washing and the potential gaps between perception and reality
Green washing or “green sheen” is a decoupling behaviour which tend to deflect attention to minor issues or lead to create ‘green talk’ through statements aimed at satisfying stakeholder requirements in terms of sustainability but without any concrete action. As it misleads the public and policymakers by portraying a misleading picture of eco-friendliness and deflecting resources away from genuine sustainability initiatives, greenwashing in maritime trade poses a serious environmental hazard. This dishonest practise not only continues the maritime industry’s damaging effects on the environment, but it also discourages the adoption of cleaner technologies and policies by undermining trust, ultimately impeding progress in addressing the serious environmental issues that maritime trade present
Through an analytical lens, this examination will unravel the diverse aspects of green washing, green technologies, green trademarks,exploring its environmental implications, sustainability challenges, alignment to SDG goals and other international conventions. By doing so, we aim to bring forth a nuanced perspective that neither wholly glorify nor dismisses this new movement but rather calls for a critical analysis and reconsideration in this matter.
Keywords: green washing, sustainable development, maritime trade, green shipping, International conventions