Apple Suffers Legal Defeat in Germany Over Apple Watch Carbon Neutral Claims

A court in Frankfurt has ruled that Apple misled consumers by advertising the Apple Watch as carbon neutral. The decision favors the environmental organization Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH), which accused Apple of "greenwashing."

Apple promoted the Apple Watch as the company's "first carbon-neutral product." The court found that the claim was unfounded and violates competition law.

Apple based its claim on a project in Paraguay, where eucalyptus trees are planted on leased land to offset carbon emissions. However, the court noted that the lease for 75% of the project area is not secured beyond 2029.

Apple has the right to appeal the decision.