Italy: Eni fined for diesel ads, will appeal

ENI said Wednesday that it would appeal the Italian antitrust authority’s decision to fine the company for misleading consumers in what environmental groups called a historic ruling.

“Eni has learned with great surprise the Italian competition authority’s decision,” the oil-and-gas major said, adding that “the company reserves the right to assess the grounds for its appeal to the Regional Administrative Court of Lazio.”

The competition authority fined Eni €5 million ($5.6 million) for allegedly claiming in an advertisement campaign its Diesel+ fuel significantly contributes to reducing greenhouse emissions. Eni has halted the campaign and said it won’t use the word “green” in relation to automotive fuels, according to the Italian authority.

Environmental groups in Italy welcomed the decision and called on the government to end subsidies for products that they claim directly or indirectly contribute to climate change. The ruling highlights an ongoing debate in Europe on whether biodiesel should be considered a green fuel.

Full Content: Wall Street Journal

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