How to Spot Greenwashing
Learn common greenwashing patterns and credibility signals.
How to Spot Greenwashing is designed to help learners build a clear, practical understanding of the topic—without drowning in jargon. We start by grounding the “why” and the “what”: the key definitions, the mental models you’ll keep using, and the context that makes the rest of climate learning click.
You’ll explore the big ideas that matter most: definitions and tactics of greenwashing, red flags in claims and marketing, how to ask for evidence. Instead of treating these as abstract concepts, the course connects them to everyday decisions and real-world examples so you can recognize them in news, workplace conversations, and the choices you make at home.
We also go deeper into: tools: certifications, disclosures, impact reports. Along the way, you’ll practice translating complexity into simple explanations, so you can communicate confidently and spot common misconceptions before they trip you up.
By the end, you’ll be able to spot greenwashing patterns and ask the right questions before trusting a sustainability claim, and you’ll have a few concrete next steps to keep momentum going.
Course Lessons
What Greenwashing Looks Like
This lesson, “What Greenwashing Looks Like,” is a focused module within the course “How to Spot Greenwashing.” You’ll start by grounding the topic with definition and why it happens and vague claims vs measurable claims, so the core idea is clear before moving on. Next, the lesson connects the concept to practical context by exploring cherry-picked data and misleading comparisons and “net-zero” misuse (conceptual), using plain-language explanations and a supportive visual. You’ll also work through a real-world example that helps you apply the idea to everyday decisions or common climate conversations. By the end, you should be able to summarize the lesson’s main point in your own words and answer a short quiz that checks true understanding—not memorization.
Words and Claims That Require Proof
This lesson, “Words and Claims That Require Proof,” is a focused module within the course “How to Spot Greenwashing.” You’ll start by grounding the topic with carbon neutral, net-zero, climate positive—what they imply and what evidence should accompany each claim, so the core idea is clear before moving on. Next, the lesson connects the concept to practical context by exploring boundaries: what’s included/excluded and timeframe: when reductions happen, using plain-language explanations and a supportive visual. You’ll also work through a real-world example that helps you apply the idea to everyday decisions or common climate conversations. By the end, you should be able to summarize the lesson’s main point in your own words and answer a short quiz that checks true understanding—not memorization.
Transparency Checklist for Climate Claims
This lesson, “Transparency Checklist for Climate Claims,” is a focused module within the course “How to Spot Greenwashing.” You’ll start by grounding the topic with disclose baseline year and scope and disclose methods and data sources, so the core idea is clear before moving on. Next, the lesson connects the concept to practical context by exploring disclose offsets: type, registry, retirement and disclose progress vs plans, using plain-language explanations and a supportive visual. You’ll also work through a real-world example that helps you apply the idea to everyday decisions or common climate conversations. By the end, you should be able to summarize the lesson’s main point in your own words and answer a short quiz that checks true understanding—not memorization.
Evaluating Offset Claims Without Cynicism
This lesson, “Evaluating Offset Claims Without Cynicism,” is a focused module within the course “How to Spot Greenwashing.” You’ll start by grounding the topic with how to check project documentation and quality indicators and red flags, so the core idea is clear before moving on. Next, the lesson connects the concept to practical context by exploring why uncertainty isn’t the same as fraud and how to compare two offset offerings, using plain-language explanations and a supportive visual. You’ll also work through a real-world example that helps you apply the idea to everyday decisions or common climate conversations. By the end, you should be able to summarize the lesson’s main point in your own words and answer a short quiz that checks true understanding—not memorization.
Communicating Climate Action the Right Way
This lesson, “Communicating Climate Action the Right Way,” is a focused module within the course “How to Spot Greenwashing.” You’ll start by grounding the topic with focus on reductions first and use clear numbers and plain language, so the core idea is clear before moving on. Next, the lesson connects the concept to practical context by exploring avoid overpromising and absolutes and show ongoing progress and learning, using plain-language explanations and a supportive visual. You’ll also work through a real-world example that helps you apply the idea to everyday decisions or common climate conversations. By the end, you should be able to summarize the lesson’s main point in your own words and answer a short quiz that checks true understanding—not memorization.