Greenwashing allegations at the Watch: Duh wins against Apple

Apple may no longer apply its computer clocks as CO₂-neutral-at least in Germany. The regional court in Frankfurt prohibited such an advertisement as misleading and thus followed the argumentation of the German Environmental Aid (DUH), which had submitted an injunction (file number 3-06 O 8/24). In Apple’s advertising for Apple Watch, the DUH sees a greenwashing because the group does not produce and sell the clock completely climate -neutral, but also uses compensation projects. The latter are considered controversial, on the other hand, Apple argues that the last step towards CO₂ neutrality is unavailable.

Judgment not yet final

The DUH welcomed the verdict, which is not yet final – Apple can still make an appeal. However, the name of the Watch must be refrained from the last instance decision. The order for violations was set by the court to 250,000 euros per case. In a statement, DUH Managing Director Jürgen Resch said that Apple wrongly gave the impression that his watches advertised as CO₂-neutral had a balanced CO₂ balance.

“This promise deceives consumers, because it is based on a CO₂ tread trade with an unsuitable compensation project.” The “alleged CO₂ storage”, so Resch in commercial eucalyptus plantations is limited to just a few years. “The contractual collateral for the future is not sufficient and the ecological integrity of the monoculture areas is not given.”

Advertising for eco-watches since 2023

Two years ago, Apple had titled three of his smartwatch models in advertising as “CO₂-neutral”. A large part of the emissions, according to the group, would already be avoided in manufacturing and transport. Only a “small rest” had to be compensated for by natural -based compensation projects. The DUH sees Greenwashing in it. The farms would be cut down every 14 years. Already at the first hearing in June, the judges had shown that compensation projects used by Apple may not be enough in the long term. The group admitted that in a reforestation project in Paraguay, only 25 percent of the area are secured in the long term and that individual areas are only leased by 2029, reports the dpa news agency. The court wanted a period from 2045 to 2050.

Apple sees itself despite the criticism in law. The products are therefore the result of important innovations in terms of renewable and CO₂-neutral design. Apple also emphasizes that it can only be invested in selected compensation projects. The group wants to become climate neutral across the entire supply chain, but continues to include compensation. First of all, it remained unclear whether Apple appealed against the judgment in Frankfurt. As early as 2026, the EU wants to attract the reins for climate statements in advertising and prohibit certain statements.