The new version of Dentons’ report, “Greenwashing: The next "big thing"?, examines laws related to voluntary corporate ESG disclosures as well as greenwashing regulations in 18 jurisdictions around the globe. The report reflects the legislative environment as of December 2023. In addition to the main report, this edition also includes short reports on each jurisdiction surveyed (see below).

As the demand for eco-friendly sustainable and socially responsible products and services grows, companies around the globe are increasingly promoting their ESG credentials through various forms of public communications – from press releases to packaging. Claiming to be “green” or sustainable (including in relation to governance or social aspects, such as diversity and inclusion and gender advancement) has become a competitiveness factor among global businesses. This presents a range of legal and reputational risks, including allegations of “greenwashing” and “ESG washing,” and liability risks resulting from misrepresentation, breach of contract, loss of business and possibly even fraud and criminal sanctions. Civil society and regulators have become more aggressive in seeking to hold companies accountable for greenwashing.

The report explores how existing laws apply to voluntary communications made by multinational corporations with regard to environmental, social and governance (ESG) aspects of their internal operations, products, services, supply chains and broader value chains.

You can download the full report here.

Country snapshots

Below you can download the short reports on greenwashing laws and regulations in specific jurisdictions:

• Australia
• Belgium
• Brazil
• Canada
• Chile
• China
• France
• Hong Kong
• Italy
• Kenya
• Mexico
• Netherlands
• Nigeria
• South Africa