Abstract
Ethical communication is an essential element of sustainable marketing, especially in the use of green claims to communicate environmental responsibility. Green claims influence consumer perceptions and purchasing decisions; therefore, they must be accurate, transparent, and verifiable. However, the increasing use of vague or misleading environmental claims has raised ethical concerns and reduced consumer trust. And I am going to use the secondary data analysis to come to a conclusion. This paper examines ethical communication practices related to green claims and identifies key issues such as green washing, information asymmetry, lack of standardization, and regulatory challenges. It also discusses the importance of truthful messaging, evidence-based claims, and adherence to ethical guidelines in marketing communication. The study emphasizes that standardized and responsible green communication is necessary to protect consumers, enhance organizational credibility, and support sustainable development.
References
Kotler, P. & Keller, K. L. (2016). Marketing Management (15th ed.), Pearson, p. 92
- Lyon, T. P. & Montgomery, A. W. (2015). “The Means and End of Green wash,” Organization & Environment, 28(2), p. 224.
- Murphy, P. E. et al. (2018). Ethical Marketing, Pearson, p. 41.
- Drumwright, M. E. & Murphy, P. E. (2009). “The Current State of Advertising Ethics,” Journal of Advertising, 38(1), p. 86.
- D’Souza, C. et al. (2007). “Green Advertising Credibility,” Journal of Consumer Marketing, 24(6), p. 373.
- Carlson, L., Grove, S. & Kangun, N. (1993). “A Content Analysis of Environmental Advertising Claims,” Journal of Advertising, 22(3), p. 31.
Delmas, M. A. & Burbano, V. C. (2011). “The Drivers of Green washing,” California Management Review, 54(1), p. 65.
Chen, Y.-S. (2010). “Green Trust,” Management Decision, 48(2), p. 313.
Cho, C. H. et al. (2015). “Selective Disclosure,” Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, 28(1), p. 84.
Akerlof, G. A. (1970). “The Market for Lemons,” Quarterly Journal of Economics, 84(3), p. 489.
ISO (2014). ISO 14021 Environmental Labels, p. 9.
OECD (2018). Environmental Claims and Consumer Protection, p. 18
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) (2020). Green Guides, p. 4.
