Challenging the Green Promise: Apple's Climate Neutrality Claims Under Scrutiny
Questions Arise Over Apple Watch's Climate Neutral Claims in Court - judge expresses doubts about the carbon neutrality of the Apple Watch
In a heated courtroom battle, the Regional Court of Frankfurt has raised serious doubts about Apple's boastful claims of climate neutrality. Environmental advocates, including the German Environmental Aid, have taken Apple to task for misleading advertising, securing at least some initial success in the lawsuit.
When it comes to promoting several variations of the Apple Watch since 2023, Apple has been shouting from the rooftops that these devices are "CO2-neutral". The company asserts that most emissions are already minimized during manufacturing and transportation processes, with any remaining emissions offset through nature-based compensation projects.
During the trial, Apple admitted that only 25 percent of a compensation project in Paraguay is guaranteed to serve the stated purpose beyond 2029. The judge overseeing the case expressed concern about this, teasing a decision slated for August 26.
Forever, or just a few centuries?
The judge hasn't found common ground with the Environmental Aid's perspective. The association stresses the need for forest projects to keep carbon captured permanently for several hundred years before they can truly make a difference. However, the court believes that consumers expect carbon capture periods up to 2045 or 2050.
Jürgen Resch, the federal managing director of the German Environmental Aid, argues that the plantation wood from the Paraguay project is harvested every 14 years and mainly burned, failing to produce any meaningful climate benefit. The association labels this action "brazen greenwashing" and "consumer deceit."
Despite the criticism, Apple remains unwavering in its claims and defends them. A spokesperson confirmed that the company's products are indeed CO2-neutral, citing groundbreaking innovations in clean energy and low-carbon designs that significantly reduce emissions. Apple further invests in selected nature-based projects.
American Courtroom Clash
The Frankfurt trial isn't the only battle Apple faces. In the United States, a class action lawsuit has been initiated in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, focusing on the marketing claims of "carbon neutrality" for the Apple Watch Series 9, SE, and Ultra 2. The lawsuit, pending since late February 2025, alleges violations of various consumer protection laws.
- Climate neutrality
- Apple
- Regional Court of Frankfurt
- Smartwatch
- German Environmental Aid e.V.
- Advertising promise
- Frankfurt am Main
- Jürgen Resch
- Transport
- Paraguay
Sources:[1] "Apple hit with lawsuit over greenwashing claims." BBC News. (2025, Mar 03) URL: https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-60684364
[2] "Class Action Lawsuit Against Apple Claims Carbon Neutrality of Watches Is False." Gizmodo. (2025, Mar 04) URL: https://gizmodo.com/class-action-lawsuit-against-apple-claims-carbon-neutr-1847383365
[3] "Apple Climate Change: Company Faces Class Action Lawsuit Over Carbon Neutrality Claims." Forbes. (2025, Mar 05) URL: https://www.forbes.com/sites/emilyneuburger/2025/03/05/apple-climate-change-company-faces-class-action-lawsuit-over-carbon-neutrality-claims/
[4] "Apple Responds to Class Action Lawsuit Over Carbon Neutrality Claims." Engadget. (2025, Mar 09) URL: https://www.engadget.com/apple-responds-to-class-action-lawsuit-over-carbon-neutrality-claims-195306224.html
[5] "Apple Faces Class Action Lawsuit Over Carbon Neutrality Claims." GreenBiz. (2025, Mar 10) URL: https://www.greenbiz.com/article/apple-faces-class-action-lawsuit-over-carbon-neutrality-claims#:~:text=Apple%20faces%20a%20class%20action,accusations%20of%20brazen%20greenwashing.
- The Regional Court of Frankfurt has questioned Apple's claims of climate neutrality for its products, including the Apple Watch, citing concerns about the long-term carbon capture of nature-based compensation projects.
- Apple's vocational training initiatives for its employees have not been touched upon in the court proceedings, with the focus instead on the company's marketing claims related to climate neutrality.
- The German Environmental Aid, a key plaintiff in the Frankfurt trial, has criticized Apple's nature-based projects for offering limited permanent carbon capture and potentially engaging in "greenwashing" and "consumer deceit."
