Germany: Apple's 'Carbon Neutral' Apple Watch Claim Challenged in Court

A German court has ruled against Apple, prohibiting the company from advertising the Apple Watch as a 'carbon neutral product' in Germany. The decision sided with environmentalists who argued that Apple misled consumers.

Apple promoted the watch online as the 'company's first carbon neutral product.' The Frankfurt court found this claim to be unfounded and in violation of competition law.

Apple based its carbon neutrality claim on a project in Paraguay involving planting eucalyptus trees on rented land to offset carbon emissions. The court questioned the long-term viability of the project, as the lease for 75% of the project area is not secured beyond 2029.

The environmental organization Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) welcomed the ruling as a victory against 'greenwashing'.

Apple declined to comment on the decision, which is subject to appeal. Source: APE-MPE