Apple is no longer allowed to advertise Apple Watch as carbon neutral. A German court ruled after protests from environmentalists about Apple’s promoted claims.
The Frankfurt Court has found that consumers misunderstand the consumer because they described the Apple Watch as a CO2 neutral product. Apple first unveiled its first carbon neutral product in September 2023, starting with the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2.
The German ruling means that the languages associated with these devices, which are carbon neutral, must be changed or removed at German retailers and online stores.
You can view examples of this ad by browsing the Apple Online Store in the US. This store shows that when combined with a selected band, the Apple Watch model is considered carbon neutral. This includes the Apple Watch Series 10 paired with Sport Loop, Milanese Loop and Braided Solo Loop.
See the complete environmental report for the 10 Apple Watch Series models here. Apple calculates the Apple Watch’s carbon footprint at approximately 8kg CO2. This is an estimated reduction of 80% compared to 2015. It then offsets the carbon credits for each product sold, bringing the net carbon footprint to zero.
Apple achieves lower emissions with a combination of environmentally green strategies, including the use of low-carbon electricity, the use of recycled and renewable materials, and alternative transportation methods that prefer marine cargo to air travel. The company says that “only after a significant reduction in emissions will it be possible to apply carbon credits from high quality projects to achieve carbon neutrality.”
It is not immediately clear why German courts challenged Apple’s explanation of carbon neutrality. However, it may be related to the use of carbon credit offsets in calculations.
Currently, Apple has designated the Apple Watch and Mac Mini as carbon neutral products. By 2030, we have committed to moving our entire product line to zero net emissions.
