PREVIEW ACTIVITY Fluentize, LLC. Copyright 2023. For use only with license.

What is Greenwashing? (B2)

PAGE 1

Describe what the people are doing in the images. What do the labels on the
PART 1
products have in common? Why do companies use these labels?

1 2 3

1 Can you think of any other environmental buzzwords or phrases that

companies use to describe their products?

2 When you shop for products, do you look for similar labels like the ones
in the images above? Why or why not?

3 What do you think it means to go the extra mile to help the environment?
Would you say that buying products with these labels is going the extra
mile to help the environment?

Tick () and discuss whether you agree (A), disagree (D), or partially (P) agree /
PART 2
disagree with each statement below about eco-friendly behavior. Explain why.

1 A/D/P I go the extra mile to help the environment and buy eco-friendly
products.
2 A/D/P Products that are eco-friendly should be more expensive.
3 A/D/P When companies claim that their products and practices are
eco-friendly, it’s usually a load of rubbish (it’s untrue or a lie).

In what way can the industries below be ecologically unfriendly? What can
PART 3
companies and consumers do to be more ecologically friendly in these industries?

1 FASHION 2 ELECTRONICS 3 FOOD & BEVERAGE

WHAT IS GREENWASHING? Fluentize, LLC. Copyright 2023. For use only with license.
What is Greenwashing? (B2)
PAGE 2

PREVIEW DISCUSSION

Have you ever heard the term “greenwashing”?

If so, what does it mean and what have you heard
about it? If not, what do you think it could mean?

VIEWING ACTIVITY
Discuss/Write short answers according to the information in the video. Then watch
PART 1
the video again to check your answers if necessary.

1:04 1 What is greenwashing?

1:20 2 What’s the point of greenwashing? Why do companies do it?

1:20 3 What are some tactics companies use to greenwash?

1:20 4 What do some environmental campaigners say about the effects of greenwashing?

1:20 5 What is the “green taxonomy”?

Watch the video again until 0:38 and pause. Write the missing words/phrases you
PART 2
hear the reporter say below.

start - 0:38 Being more green in our everyday lives can be straightforward . But we can also feel
like we’re never doing enough. So, many of us try to go to help the
environment, maybe by wearing eco-friendly clothing, only buying things that have
been made sustainably, or using paper . But could these so-called
‘green choices’ that we’re told are better for the environment actually be a load of
?
 VIEWING FOLLOW-UP Fluentize, LLC. Copyright 2023. For use only with license.
What is Greenwashing? (B2)
PAGE 3

Read the following quotes from the video out loud. Then match the verbs/
PART 1
phrasal verbs to the definitions below.

1 “ When a company, organization, or even a government exaggerates the

environmental benefits of their actions, it’s known as greenwashing.”

2 “ Companies sometimes use phrases like ‘eco-friendly’, ‘sustainably sourced’,

or ‘environmentally safe’ without actually having to back up these claims.”

3 “ Greta Thunberg, an environmental campaigner, has called out the fashion

industry, saying it’s not possible to make large amounts of clothes cheaply
and be environmentally friendly at the same time.”

4 “ The UK government set up an expert group to crack down on greenwashing

across businesses, called the green taxonomy.”

1 exaggerate = stretch the truth or reality of

2 = establish or create

3 = prove, support, or show evidence of

4 = take strict and serious measures to regulate or prevent

5 = publicly confront, criticize, or accuse

PART 2 Discuss the questions below.

1 How do you think being called out for or accused of greenwashing
could impact a company?

2 How do you think companies can back up claims that their

products, services, or practices are eco-friendly? What do you
think should happen if they can’t back up these claims?

3 What are some other effective ways of cracking down on or preventing

greenwashing? What role could the media, government, and public play?

Below are some ways of cracking down on or preventing greenwashing. Do you know
PART 3
what each term means and how it could help?

boycotts | lawsuits | industry collaboration | certifications

 ACCUSED OF GREENWASHING! Fluentize, LLC. Copyright 2023. For use only with license.
What is Greenwashing? (B2)
PAGE 4

Choose the activity option (A or B) you wish to do below, or both.

OPTION A: RESEARCH & DISCUSSION

Research one or a few companies that have been accused of greenwashing or involved in
greenwashing scandals, and discuss the questions below.

COMPANY/COMPANIES:

1 What were the accusations and details of the case about?

2 How did the company respond to the accusations?
3 Was there any legal action taken against the company?
If so, what were the results?
4 What do you think about these greenwashing accusations?

OPTION B: GREENWASHING ACCUSATION ROLEPLAY

• Think of and write the name of a company. It can be a real or imaginary company.
• Come up with a greenwashing accusation against the company.
• Take one of the roles below and do the role play.

COMPANY:

GREENWASHING ACCUSATION:

STUDENT A: ENVIRONMENTAL CAMPAIGNER STUDENT B: COMPANY REPRESENTATIVE

GREEN
WASHERS!
Imagine you’re an environmental Imagine you work for the company above.
campaigner speaking at a public event. Respond to the accusations that your
Call out the company above for company is greenwashing. Explain
greenwashing. Explain your accusations your position and back up your claims.
and what you think should be done.
QUIZ & REVIEW ACTIVITY Fluentize, LLC. Copyright 2023. For use only with license.
What is Greenwashing? (B2)
PAGE 5

PART 1 Answer each question below according to the information in the video.

1 What is greenwashing?
2 What’s the point of greenwashing? Why do companies do it?
3 What are some tactics companies use to greenwash?
4 What do environmental campaigners say about the effects of greenwashing?
5 What is the “green taxonomy”?

PART 2 Write the verbs/phrasal verbs that fit the sentences from the video below.

1 When a company, organization, or even a government the

environmental benefits of their actions, it’s known as greenwashing.

2 Companies sometimes use phrases like ‘eco-friendly’, ‘sustainably sourced’,

or ‘environmentally safe’ without actually having to these
claims.

3 Greta Thunberg, an environmental campaigner, has the

fashion industry, saying it’s not possible to make large amounts of clothes
cheaply and be environmentally friendly at the same time.

4 The UK government an expert group to

greenwashing across businesses, called the green taxonomy.

PART 3 List/Write a few ways of cracking down on or preventing greenwashing.

1
2
3

LESSON REFLECTION:

Discuss the topics below about the lesson.

1 Did you learn or use any new vocabulary or grammar in this lesson? If so, what?
2 Did you learn anything new about greenwashing? If so, explain.
3 What did you enjoy about the lesson?
4 Is there anything you found difficult about the lesson?