A regional court in Frankfurt has ruled that Apple may no longer promote the Apple Watch as a CO2-neutral product in Germany. The decision followed a legal challenge by environmental group Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH), which accused the U.S. company of misleading climate-related advertising.
Apple Watch CO2-neutral claims questioned
Apple had advertised the Apple Watch online as “our first CO2-neutral product.” According to the court, this statement breached German competition law. The judges concluded that the company’s claims lacked sufficient evidence and relied on unreliable offsetting measures.
Reliance on eucalyptus plantations in Paraguay
Apple based its carbon neutrality claim largely on offsetting projects in Paraguay, where eucalyptus trees are planted on leased land. The court found that 75% of the leases for these areas expire in 2029, with no guarantees of renewal. This raised doubts about the long-term effectiveness of the project. The court stated that “there is no secure future for the continuation of the forest project.”
Environmentalists welcome the decision
DUH argued that the alleged CO2 storage from commercial eucalyptus plantations is temporary and insufficiently safeguarded. Federal Director Jürgen Resch said, “Apple gives the false impression that its Apple Watch has a balanced CO2 footprint. This promise misleads consumers and is based on ineffective compensation projects.”
Resch added that such monoculture plantations lack ecological integrity, require pesticides, consume large amounts of water, and are highly flammable during droughts, further undermining their sustainability as long-term carbon sinks.
Legal experts highlight wider implications
Remo Klinger, the lawyer representing DUH, explained that Apple failed to prove the long-term viability of its offsetting project. He noted that buffer accounts intended to address risks were also deemed insufficient by the court.
The ruling marks a significant moment in Germany’s efforts to hold corporations accountable for greenwashing. It could also set a precedent for how environmental claims in tech and consumer electronics are evaluated in Europe.
Apple has yet to respond
Apple did not immediately comment on the court decision. The company has positioned itself as a leader in sustainability, with targets to reach carbon neutrality across its entire supply chain by 2030. The ruling now raises questions about how Apple and other major brands substantiate environmental marketing claims in one of Europe’s most influential markets.
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