Corporate Greenhushing

“Greenhushing” refers to ongoing self-censorship among private organizations and corporations to hide or downplay their climate work. While some consider greenhushing as evidence of corporate willingness to reduce climate commitments, others see it as a correction to “greenwashing,” in which companies use misleading or exaggerated statements to appear more sustainable than they really are.  

Staying silent about climate efforts may also help corporations quietly continue this work at a time of shifting federal priorities toward corporate environmental and climate commitments. Industry analyses show that most U.S. companies maintained or increased climate and sustainability efforts in 2025. Another study found that only 13 percent of 75 top global companies had retreated from their climate commitments in 2025, while 85 percent were holding steady or even accelerating their sustainability efforts. The integration of sustainability into corporate operating models and value engines was a key factor in the continuation of these efforts.  

While the lack of communication about climate action from corporations and private organizations may be concerning, this evidence of sustainability’s growing normalization within corporate operations is cause for hope. This strategy is further reflected in the efforts of cities and communities, where embedding sustainability and climate goals within local plans, policies, and regulations, rather than establishing separate goals within purpose-built climate adaptation and mitigation plans, is increasingly common.