Endesa, the Spanish branch of the Italian fossil fuel giant Enel, has been accused of engaging in "academic greenwashing" at various universities in Spain. Endesa sponsors the University of Barcelona, Seville University, and the Universidad Pontificia Comillas, where it funds the Department of Energy and Poverty. Endesa has been identified as a key cause of energy poverty in Spain, yet it has provided speakers for seminars and events at these universities.
Activists argue that Endesa just like other fossil fuel companies are using these universities to greenwash its dirty reputation.
“In terms of image, it is very profitable for an electricity company to have a department at a university,” Mario Sánchez-Herrero, professor of economics at Universidad Complutense de Madrid, told La Marea, an independent monthly magazine in Spain. Endesa’s tactics on campus are only the follow-up of other greenwashing tactics. The very same company bought cover page advertisements touting its green credentials in eight major newspapers in Madrid on the first day of the global climate change conference in December 2019.
Endesa has been fined millions of euros for various breaches, including publishing misleading communications to its customers and changing customer contracts without their consent. Additionally, Endesa has been accused of strong-arm tactics, such as threatening to freeze the bank account of a customer who failed to pay bills.
These universities should find better sponsors! We need to fight academic greenwashing. If companies like Endesa have the power to use their financial influence to shape the conversation around environmental issues and promote their image as environmentally friendly while basically doing nothing, we won't get anywhere.
https://www.lamarea.com/2021/10/05/las-energeticas-lavan-su-imagen-en-la-universidad/
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103 w
So sad! Green washing is pathetic and now a academic greenwashing?so sad!
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105 w
Dear Sarah Chabane Thank you for getting your climate warning to level 2! We have reached out to Endesa and asked for a response. I will keep you updated on any progress! /Adam We Don't Have Time
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105 w
leaders in this plant should be brought to book
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105 w
The power of what money can buy is actually portrayed by many large polluters. Its totally un acceptable.
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105 w
Shame. What a disappointment
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105 w
This is so wrong.
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105 w
This is very wrong! Urgent action calls
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105 w
Too bad shame on them
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105 w
Action s needed and policies are te way to put such organization on the watch
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105 w
They should be ashamed of their actions but I doubt they will.
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105 w
@munene_mugambi Sometimes I tend to wonder,what if WDHT reaches to them and they don't respond,what's is the next course of action for climate justice to prevail?