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Lecturer(s)
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Hamuľáková Klára, doc. Ph.D.
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Sik-Simon Rita Ildikó, Dr. iur. LL.M. Ph.D.
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Course content
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The course is divided into three parts: (1) an introduction to the legal and policy framework governing the green transition and green marketing; (2) analysis of selected greenwashing cases across key economic sectors; and (3) a moot court simulation designed to strengthen students? practical understanding of greenwashing enforcement and dispute resolution. Theoretical Introduction: Green Transition, Sustainability and Green Claims 1. The Green Transition: Global and European Perspectives o The Paris Agreement, The European Green Deal etc. 2. Sustainable Products and the Ecodesing o Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 on Ecodesign for Sustainable Products o Digital Product Passports 3. Environmental Labels, Certifications and Verification Mechanisms o Mandatory and voluntary eco-labels, Certification schemes and third-party verification 4. The Legal Framework for Green Marketing and Green Claims o Directive (EU) 2024/825 (Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition) o Proposal for a Green Claims Directive 5. Understanding Greenwashing o Concept, forms and typologies of greenwashing sins, drivers and impacts Practical Case Study Analysis: Greenwashing Across Sectors 6. Greenwashing in the Aviation Sector o Climate-neutrality claims, Carbon offsetting (KLM, Ryanair and other airlines) 7. Greenwashing in Fashion, Food and Beverage Industries o Sustainability claims in fashion marketing, Environmental claims in food and beverage sectors 8. Consumer Products, Packaging and Retail Marketing o Product labelling and environmental claims (Katjes, sustainable pork claims and other consumer goods examples) 9. Sustainable Finance and Green Investment o ESG and sustainability-related investment claims, Green investment funds and portfolios III. Moot Court Simulation 1. Introduction of the Case and Allocation of Roles o Formation of teams, Distribution of tasks and case materials, development of legal strategy 2. Preparation of Written Submissions o Legal analysis of the dispute, Preparation of claimant and defendant arguments, Evidence assessment 3. Moot Court Hearing o Oral pleadings, Judicial questioning, Deliberation, feedback and evaluation
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Learning activities and teaching methods
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Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming), Group work
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Learning outcomes
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In response to the growing importance of sustainability in the context of the global and European green transition ? driven by initiatives such as the Paris Agreement and the European Green Deal ? this course explores the role of Green marketing and sustainability-related claims. As environmental concerns have become more significant for consumers and businesses, the use of green marketing and sustainability-related claims has grown considerably across all sectors of the economy. However, alongside this development, an increasing number of greenwashing practices have emerged, ranging from misleading claims in the aviation and energy sectors to corporate sustainability reporting, product marketing and major international sporting events. Greenwashing involves making misleading, exaggerated, vague or unsubstantiated environmental claims that overstate the benefits to the environment of products, services, business practices or organisations. Such practices undermine consumer trust, distort fair competition, and hinder the transition towards genuinely sustainable production and consumption patterns. The course's main goal is to provide students with the knowledge and practical abilities needed to recognise, evaluate, and counteract greenwashing. Students will learn to critically evaluate environmental claims, distinguish legitimate sustainability communication from misleading practices, and analyse real-life greenwashing cases. The course also aims to contribute to the development of competent future professionals who can support the enforcement of sustainability and consumer protection rules. Particular attention will be paid to the existing legal framework and enforcement mechanisms, as well as the roles of public authorities, consumer organisations, environmental NGOs, courts and other stakeholders in detecting, preventing and combating greenwashing.
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: Knowledge: 1. Explain the concept, forms, and drivers of greenwashing and its relationship to sustainability, green marketing, and the green transition. 2. Describe the legal framework governing green claims, including relevant EU consumer protection, and sustainability legislation: Directive (EU) 2024/825, Regulation (EU) 2024/1781, Directive (EU) 2022/2464, Regulation (EU) 2023/2405, Proposal on Green Claim Directive etc), 3. Identify the roles of public authorities, courts, consumer organisations, environmental NGOs, and businesses in preventing and combating greenwashing. Skills: 1. Detect and critically assess potentially misleading environmental claims in advertisements, sustainability reports, product labelling, and other business communications. 2. Apply the relevant legal and regulatory framework to analyse real-world greenwashing cases and propose appropriate enforcement measures. 3. Evaluate evidence supporting environmental claims and distinguish substantiated sustainability communications from deceptive marketing practices. Values and Attitudes: 1. Demonstrate a commitment to transparency, and accountability in green and sustainability-related communication. 2. Recognise the importance of consumer protection and fair competition in supporting the transition towards a sustainable economy. 3. Develop a critical and responsible approach to environmental claims, considering their impact on consumers, businesses, and environmental objectives.
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Prerequisites
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unspecified
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Assessment methods and criteria
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Student performance
Student performance will be assessed through active participation and case study work. The final examination is a moot court simulation in which students work in groups to analyse a greenwashing case, prepare written submissions on behalf of the parties to the dispute and participate in a simulated court hearing. The assessment will focus on students' ability to identify greenwashing practices, apply the relevant legal framework, construct persuasive legal arguments, evaluate evidence and present and defend their positions effectively in oral proceedings.
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Recommended literature
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De Franceschi, A., Keirsbilck, B., & Terryn, E. (Eds.). (2026). Green claims and greenwashing: New rules and challenges for businesses and consumers (1st ed.). Intersentia.. Intersentia.
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Delmas, M. A., & Burbano, V. C. (2011). The drivers of greenwashing. California Management Review, 54(1), 64-87. https://doi.org/10.1525/cmr.2011.54.1.64. California Management Review.
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Simon, R. (2025). Nachhaltigkeit und Greenwashing. In M. Augenhofer, A. Schopper, & N. Told (Eds.), Nachhaltigkeit im Unternehmensrecht (pp. 3-15)..
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