CSO’s anti-greenwashing checklist
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Will your sustainability claims stand up to scrutiny?
Use our checklist to identify the key actions every chief sustainability officer should take to reduce the risk of greenwashing in ESG reporting and communications. From verifying data to ensuring claims are backed by evidence and reflect actual performance, the checklist provides a practical guide to strengthen transparency and credibility.
Ten essential actions against greenwashing for every CSO
The checklist outlines ten focus areas to help you assess current practices and identify gaps that could expose your organisation to greenwashing risks:
- Establishing clear reporting boundaries
- Verifying sustainability claims
- Using absolute and relative metrics
- Aligning with reporting standards
- Presenting balanced performance
- Matching claims with resources
- Validating certifications and awards
- Linking future goals with present action
- Engaging stakeholders
- Maintaining documentation and audit trails
Use it to ensure your sustainability claims are credible, defensible and free from greenwashing risks.
Three reasons to take greenwashing risks seriously
- Scrutiny is intensifying
Regulators, NGOs and consumers are quick to call out misleading claims – and the consequences are real. Investigations, fines and reputational damage can all follow when claims don’t hold up. - Greenwashing can undermine real progress
Even well-intentioned sustainability work can lose credibility if disclosures are inconsistent, incomplete or unclear. A single vague or overstated claim can damage trust across the board. - Prevention is easier than crisis control
A few key actions – like verifying data, documenting decisions and setting clear boundaries – can significantly reduce risk. Our checklist helps you spot gaps before others do.
Take the next step in reducing greenwashing risks
This checklist is just the start. At Speeki, we help CSOs build credible, data-driven ESG programmes that stand up to scrutiny – and deliver real business value.
Whether you're improving disclosures, strengthening governance or planning third-party assurance, our advisory services and digital platform are designed to support every aspect of your sustainability programme.