Instituto Brasileiro de Defesa do Consumidor (IDEC) vs. Gol Linhas Aéreas S/A (Disclosure of information and greenwashing)

On January 23, 2025, the Brazilian Institute for Consumer Protection (IDEC) filed a judicial inquiry against Gol Linhas Aéreas S.A. This action is part of a set of two inquiries filed by IDEC alleging greenwashing and problems in the use of carbon credits from the voluntary market. In this case against Gol, the airline's voluntary carbon offset actions through its ‘Meu Voo Compensa’ (My Flight Offsets) programme are being questioned. IDEC questions the transparency, effectiveness, and veracity of the company's claims regarding the neutralisation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as well as the integrity of the carbon credits purchased and disclosed as sustainable. According to the initial petition, Gol's greenwashing practice consists of using marketing and communication strategies to induce consumers to believe that its operations are environmentally responsible, without concrete, verifiable, and effective measures to justify such claims. An example of this conduct is the use of an aircraft identified as ‘Green Plane’ to reinforce its sustainable image, even though the aircraft did not have any technical or operational features that made it effectively more environmentally friendly. IDEC requires GOL Linhas Aéreas to respond to a set of questions related to transparency, the legal nature, and calculation and compensation methods of the My Flight Offsets programme, as well as the allocation of amounts paid by consumers and other environmental actions disclosed by the company. On March 14, 2025, Gol Linhas Aéreas responded to the inquiry, denying the practice of greenwashing and maintaining that its sustainability actions are transparent, audited, and based on internationally recognised methodologies. The company highlights that it uses the GHG Protocol to calculate emissions and purchases carbon credits validated by the international certifier Verra, with tracking via blockchain. The company also reports that it has published sustainability reports audited by Ernst & Young, reaffirming its commitment to ESG practices and GHG reduction. Gol argues that carbon offsetting is a voluntary measure paid for by passengers, not a donation, and that its actions are unrelated to the Operation Greenwashing investigations, although, as a precaution, it has suspended its partnership with Moss, the climatech company previously responsible for the programme, and is in the process of hiring a new partner. Finally, it reiterates that its institutional communication seeks to inform, not mislead, consumers, defending the legitimacy of its environmental initiatives and requesting recognition of the regularity of its conduct and the absence of any violation of environmental and consumer rights.