Apple Barred from Marketing Apple Watch as Carbon Neutral in Germany

A Frankfurt court has prohibited Apple from labeling its Apple Watch Series 9 as carbon neutral, siding with environmental group Deutsche Umwelthilfe. The ruling challenges the credibility of Apple's Paraguay forestry offset project, citing short-term land leases that undermine claims of permanent carbon removal.

Apple's climate strategy faces mounting legal scrutiny as courts increasingly enforce consumer protection laws against misleading environmental marketing. The tech giant maintains its 2030 carbon-neutral pledge remains intact and may appeal the decision.

The verdict underscores growing skepticism toward forestry-based carbon offsets, particularly when corporate claims outpace demonstrable ecological impact. With leased lands reverting in 2029, the court found Apple's sustainability assertions lacked long-term substantiation.