Loading...
Publication
SDG-washing in the european aviation industry : a comparative analysis of five selected airlines
| Name: | Description: | Size: | Format: | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 MB | Adobe PDF |
Authors
Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Since the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were introduced, companies have increasingly committed to and reported on them. Yet, this has given rise to a new phenomenon known as “SDG-washing”. This study focuses on the airline industry, which, due to its inherently polluting business model, has a complex relationship with sustainability. The primary objective of this thesis is to identify indicators of SDG-washing, evaluate whether airlines engage in such practices, and explore factors influencing their level of SDG engagement. Drawing on insights from the literature, five key indicators of SDG-washing are identified: superficial alignment, selective engagement, vague descriptions, lack of measurable impact, and limited integration. The sustainability reports of five European airlines –Lufthansa Group, Turkish Airlines, Norwegian, Wizz Air, and Ryanair – are analysed using these indicators. The results reveal significant variations in SDG commitment. Lufthansa Group and Turkish Airlines demonstrate genuine approaches, while Norwegian shows moderate engagement. Wizz Air and Ryanair demonstrate minimal commitment, raising concerns about SDG-washing. Findings from an expert interview further indicate a clear link between servisse type and SDG engagement, with full-service airlines demonstrating stronger and more genuine SDG commitment than low-cost carriers. For full-service airlines, SDG engagement positively correlates with revenue, whereas low-cost carriers show a negative correlation. This disparity is shaped by operational scale, geographical location, regulatory pressures, market focus, customer expectations, and national sustainability performance. Notably, ESG scores do not influence the level of SDG engagement. These findings partially align with the literature, underscoring the complexity of this issue.
Since the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were introduced, companies have increasingly committed to and reported on them. Yet, this has given rise to a new phenomenon known as “SDG-washing”. This study focuses on the airline industry, which, due to its inherently polluting business model, has a complex relationship with sustainability. The primary objective of this thesis is to identify indicators of SDG-washing, evaluate whether airlines engage in such practices, and explore factors influencing their level of SDG engagement. Drawing on insights from the literature, five key indicators of SDG-washing are identified: superficial alignment, selective engagement, vague descriptions, lack of measurable impact, and limited integration. The sustainability reports of five European airlines –Lufthansa Group, Turkish Airlines, Norwegian, Wizz Air, and Ryanair – are analysed using these indicators. The results reveal significant variations in SDG commitment. Lufthansa Group and Turkish Airlines demonstrate genuine approaches, while Norwegian shows moderate engagement. Wizz Air and Ryanair demonstrate minimal commitment, raising concerns about SDG-washing. Findings from an expert interview further indicate a clear link between servisse type and SDG engagement, with full-service airlines demonstrating stronger and more genuine SDG commitment than low-cost carriers. For full-service airlines, SDG engagement positively correlates with revenue, whereas low-cost carriers show a negative correlation. This disparity is shaped by operational scale, geographical location, regulatory pressures, market focus, customer expectations, and national sustainability performance. Notably, ESG scores do not influence the level of SDG engagement. These findings partially align with the literature, underscoring the complexity of this issue.
Since the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were introduced, companies have increasingly committed to and reported on them. Yet, this has given rise to a new phenomenon known as “SDG-washing”. This study focuses on the airline industry, which, due to its inherently polluting business model, has a complex relationship with sustainability. The primary objective of this thesis is to identify indicators of SDG-washing, evaluate whether airlines engage in such practices, and explore factors influencing their level of SDG engagement. Drawing on insights from the literature, five key indicators of SDG-washing are identified: superficial alignment, selective engagement, vague descriptions, lack of measurable impact, and limited integration. The sustainability reports of five European airlines –Lufthansa Group, Turkish Airlines, Norwegian, Wizz Air, and Ryanair – are analysed using these indicators. The results reveal significant variations in SDG commitment. Lufthansa Group and Turkish Airlines demonstrate genuine approaches, while Norwegian shows moderate engagement. Wizz Air and Ryanair demonstrate minimal commitment, raising concerns about SDG-washing. Findings from an expert interview further indicate a clear link between servisse type and SDG engagement, with full-service airlines demonstrating stronger and more genuine SDG commitment than low-cost carriers. For full-service airlines, SDG engagement positively correlates with revenue, whereas low-cost carriers show a negative correlation. This disparity is shaped by operational scale, geographical location, regulatory pressures, market focus, customer expectations, and national sustainability performance. Notably, ESG scores do not influence the level of SDG engagement. These findings partially align with the literature, underscoring the complexity of this issue.
Description
Keywords
2030 agenda Agenda 2030 Airline Aviação Aviation Companhias aéreas Greenwashing Nações unidas Objetivos de desenvolvimento sustentável ODS SDGs SDG-washing Sustainable development goals United nations
Pedagogical Context
Citation
Publisher
CC License
Without CC licence