Dutch consumer groups urge EU action over ‘clean gas’ claims

Dutch consumer groups have asked European regulators to take tougher action against energy companies accused of presenting fossil gas as cleaner than it really is.

The complaint could matter to millions of households trying to cut energy costs and reduce their climate impact. Consumer advocates say buyers may be misled by words such as “clean”, “green” and “sustainable” when the product still depends on fossil fuel.

The action was led by Consumentenbond, the Dutch consumer association, working with 12 other consumer organisations. It was filed with the European Commission and the Consumer Protection Cooperation network.

The groups also reported Dutch energy providers to the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets. Companies named in the wider complaint include ANWB, Greenchoice, Vattenfall, Shell, ENGIE, Eni Plenitude and TotalEnergies.

At the centre of the dispute is a simple question: can fossil gas be marketed as climate-friendly because companies use offsets, mix in a small amount of green gas, or make future net-zero promises?

Consumer groups say the answer is no.

They argue that natural gas remains a fossil fuel. It releases carbon dioxide when burned and can also involve methane leaks during production and transport. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas and a major concern for climate scientists.

The groups say some companies are giving consumers the impression that gas products are already sustainable. They argue this can delay the move to genuinely cleaner options, including renewable electricity, heat pumps and better home energy efficiency.

Consumentenbond said presenting a product as greener than it is gives consumers the wrong impression. The group said people may believe they are making a sustainable choice while still being locked into fossil fuels.

BEUC, the European consumer organisation, said the issue is not limited to one country. It said its research with the University of Leuven found that several energy companies across Europe regularly describe fossil gas as clean, sustainable or climate-friendly.

The European Commission has also warned that greenwashing remains a serious problem. Its own figures say 53% of environmental claims in the EU are vague, misleading or unfounded. It also says 40% of such claims have no supporting evidence.

The complaint points to examples where energy companies link gas products to climate projects. These can include wind farms, tree planting or other schemes used to offset carbon emissions.

But consumer groups say offsetting does not make fossil gas clean. They argue that pollution is still produced when gas is extracted, transported and burned.

One example cited in the Netherlands involved ANWB Energie. The company had described “green energy” by linking gas use to carbon compensation through renewable projects and forest planting.

After the complaint, ANWB removed the webpage in question. A spokesperson said the company was already adjusting the content so it complied with EU rules.

Greenchoice rejected the criticism. The company said it explains on its website that natural gas is a fossil fuel and that carbon dioxide is released when it is used.

Vattenfall also disputed the allegation. It said its product clearly refers to natural gas with 10% green gas, designed for customers who still depend on gas but want to take a first step towards sustainability.

The case comes at a sensitive time for Europe’s energy market. Households remain under pressure from high living costs, volatile fuel prices and the long-term shift away from fossil energy.

For consumers, the issue is trust. If a bill or energy product carries a green label, people expect that claim to mean something clear and measurable.

For regulators, the issue is enforcement. The European Union is already working on stronger rules to make environmental claims more reliable, comparable and verifiable.

The EU’s proposed Green Claims rules are designed to stop companies from making vague environmental promises without proof. The aim is to protect consumers and reward businesses making genuine progress.

Consumer groups want authorities to stop misleading claims, investigate the wider energy sector and consider compensation where customers paid extra for products sold as greener than they were.

The complaint is also a warning to the wider energy and mobility industries. As more households buy electric vehicles, install chargers and look for cleaner energy tariffs, trust in green claims will become even more important.

A cleaner future depends not only on new technology. It also depends on honest information.

For now, the message from consumer advocates is clear: fossil gas should not be dressed up as green if its climate impact remains largely unchanged.

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