Not so fast: German court says Apple can't call Watch carbon neutral

Core Viewpoint - A German court has ruled that Apple must retract its claim of carbon neutrality for its Watch Series 9 and Series 10, as the carbon offset strategy is deemed insufficient and misleading under German competition law [3]. Group 1: Legal and Regulatory Context - The lawsuit against Apple was initiated by the German environmental group Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) [2]. - The court highlighted concerns regarding the carbon credits used by Apple, which are linked to eucalyptus tree planting in Paraguay, with a significant portion of the project area on leased land that expires in 2029 [2][4]. Group 2: Carbon Neutrality Claims - Each aluminum Apple Watch Series 9 and Series 10 generates just over 8 kilograms of carbon emissions, which Apple offsets through the purchase of carbon credits [1]. - The court determined that the short duration of the land leases undermines the credibility of Apple's carbon-neutral claims, as consumers expect long-term sustainability of carbon offset projects [3]. Group 3: Consumer Expectations - The court chairwoman stated that consumers would reasonably assume that the carbon offset measures would remain effective until at least 2050, in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement [3].