Greenhushing: When Companies Don't Want To Publicize Their Climate Progress - CleanTechnica

The article from CleanTechnica explores the growing phenomenon of "greenhushing," where companies deliberately under-communicate or remain silent about their climate progress despite continuing to pursue sustainability goals. While it may appear that many organizations are abandoning net zero commitments, the reality is that numerous companies are simply downplaying their environmental efforts in public communications. This trend is driven by various pressures, including political backlash, fear of greenwashing accusations, and the complexity of sustainability issues. Notably, the number of companies making climate commitments continues to rise, with 37% increasing their ambitions in 2024 according to the Climate Disclosure Project, even as many choose to speak less openly about their progress. Greenhushing is particularly prevalent on social media, where companies balance the desire to appear responsible with concerns about consumer skepticism and political criticism. The article highlights that transparency is crucial for building consumer trust, as nearly half of consumers pay close attention to corporate social responsibility when making purchasing decisions. However, external pressures—such as political