Greenwashing, environmental responsibility and carbon footprint: impact on the productivity of the industrial sector in Cúcuta

Abstract

This research addresses the issue of greenwashing, a deceptive practice used by some companies to appear more environmentally responsible than they actually are. Against this backdrop, the primary objective of the study is to examine the impact of greenwashing, environmental responsibility, and carbon footprint on the productivity of companies in the industrial sector of Cúcuta. To achieve this end, a correlational quantitative methodology was employed, selecting a representative sample of 420 companies out of the 9364 that make up the city's industrial fabric. This sampling was carried out with a confidence level of 95% and a margin of error of 5%. The instrument used to collect the data achieved a completion level of 88.1%. The results of the study revealed a moderate negative correlation (-0.46) between greenwashing and resource optimization, suggesting that an increase in greenwashing practices is associated with a decrease in resource management efficiency. More significantly, a very strong negative correlation (-0.95) was found between the carbon footprint of companies and their profitability, indicating that an increase in the carbon footprint generally results in lower profitability. The main conclusion of the study highlights the importance of developing and implementing strategies that allow companies to efficiently balance environmental responsibility with productivity. This will not only improve their sustainability and long-term profitability but will also contribute positively to global environmental well-being.