TAP is one of 20 airline companies targeted in an investigation launched Tuesday by the European Commission following complaints about potentially misleading environmental advertising made by consumer rights groups.
The letters question airline claims that CO2 emissions caused by flying can be offset by climate projects or the use of clean fuels, to which consumers can contribute by paying additional fees, according to a statement from the community leader.
At this first stage of the investigation, those involved are also called upon to “bring their practices into line with EU law.” [União Europeia] on consumer protection issues within 30 days.”
Participating consumer associations (including Deco) suspect that environmental claims may be seen as misleading acts/omissions, and airlines do not clarify whether they can be supported by convincing scientific evidence.
The European Commission and a network of consumer protection bodies have identified several types of potentially misleading practices, including creating the incorrect impression that paying additional fees to finance climate projects with a lower environmental impact or to support the use of alternative fuels in aviation could reduce or completely offset carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
Other deficiencies identified include the use of the term “green aviation fuel” without clearly justifying the fuel’s environmental impact, as well as the terms “green,” “sustainable,” or “fully responsible,” or the use of other implicit environmental claims.
The European Consumer Organization (OEC), for its part, indicated that, in addition to TAP, we are talking about Air Baltic, Air Dolomiti, Air France, Austrian, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings, Finnair, KLM, Lufthansa, Norwegian, Ryanair. , SAS, SWISS, Volotea, Vueling and Wizz Air.
ECO members condemned claims such as that the extra credit payments could “neutralize” or “offset” CO2 emissions are “factually false” and that the companies involved are defrauding consumers when they charge more for their contributions to the development of clean fuels.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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