Article Details
  • Published Online:
    March  2026
  • Product Name:
    The IUP Journal of Brand Management
  • Product Type:
    Article
  • Product Code:
    IJBRM010326
  • DOI:
    10.71329/IUPJBRM/2026.23.1.28-48
  • Author Name:
    Vani Aggarwal, Charu Punjani, Srishti Sinha, Mihika Seth4, Mayank Mohan, Nitya Srivastava and Anirban Bhuyan
  • Availability:
    YES
  • Subject/Domain:
    Marketing
  • Download Format:
    PDF
  • Pages:
    28-48
Volume 23, Issue 1, January-March 2026
Green and Ethical Marketing: Understanding Consumer Skepticism of Sustainability Claims on Social Media
Abstract

The increasing adoption of green marketing on social media has simultaneously led to a rise in greenwashing, intensifying consumer skepticism toward sustainability claims. This paper investigates the relationships between (1) repeated exposure to green social media advertisements and brand credibility; (2) green skepticism and purchase intention; and (3) perceived brand credibility and purchase intention. Primary data was collected using a structured questionnaire with Likert-scale items administered to social media users aged 18-45 years. Regression analysis revealed that repeated exposure to green ads significantly affects brand credibility, green skepticism significantly predicts purchase intention, and brand credibility strongly influences purchase intention. The findings highlight the importance of authentic sustainability messaging and provide insights for brands aiming to strengthen credibility and increase consumer engagement. Managerial and societal implications are discussed, along with recommendations for future research

Introduction

Sustainability has become a central pillar of contemporary marketing strategy as firms respond to growing environmental concerns and heightened consumer expectations for responsible business conduct. Increasing public awareness of climate change, resource