A court in the Frankfurt area (Germany) has ruled that the Apple Watch is not a CO₂-neutral product, stating that previous advertisements for the device were misleading to customers.

According to an August 26 announcement from a regional court in Frankfurt, Apple advertised online that it was “our first CO2-neutral product.” However, the court concluded that this was an unsubstantiated advertisement and violated German competition law.

A CO2-neutral product is one whose entire lifecycle—from raw material extraction, manufacturing, use, and disposal—does not increase the net amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. This is achieved by minimizing emissions and offsetting unavoidable emissions through supporting certified climate projects.

Companies determine whether their products are CO2-neutral by conducting a “lifecycle assessment,” improving energy efficiency including the use of renewable energy, offsetting remaining emissions, or purchasing carbon credits.

Apple made the claim based on a project the company is implementing in Paraguay to offset emissions by planting eucalyptus trees. However, a group of environmental activists filed a lawsuit against Apple over the advertisement for the Apple Watch smartwatch.

    They argued that the eucalyptus monoculture harms biodiversity and requires large amounts of water, leading them to be called “green deserts.”

    The Frankfurt court also stated that the land lease agreement for eucalyptus planting that Apple signed has up to 75% of the area not guaranteed after 2029, and the company cannot ensure the contract will be renewed. “There is no certain future for the continuation of the afforestation project,” the court argued.

    A spokesperson stated that the regional court’s ruling “generally supports Apple’s rigorous approach to carbon neutrality” and declined to comment on whether the company would appeal the decision.

    However, Apple said it would remove the “CO2-neutral” label it uses for the Apple Watch to comply with an EU regulation expected to take effect in September 2026. In June, Apple argued that the lawsuit in Germany threatened to “undermine credible corporate climate actions that the world needs.”

    Besides Apple, Meta and Microsoft have also invested in similar afforestation projects in Latin America in exchange for carbon credits.

    With a commitment to increase total investment in the U.S. to $600 billion over the next four years, Apple is taking strategic steps to ‘domesticate’ its supply chain and avoid tariff risks.

    Frankfurt

    Frankfurt am Main is a major financial hub in central Germany, historically known as a free imperial city and the site of Holy Roman Emperor coronations. Its reconstructed Old Town includes landmarks like the Römer city hall and the Goethe House, juxtaposed with a striking modern skyline. The city also hosts important cultural institutions such as the Städel Museum and the annual Frankfurt Book Fair.

    Germany

    Germany is a country in Central Europe with a complex and layered history, having been a collection of states for centuries before unification in 1871. It is renowned for its profound cultural contributions to philosophy, music, and science, as well as for its pivotal and often tumultuous role in 20th-century world history. Today, it is known for its picturesque castles, historic cities, and as Europe’s largest economy.

    Apple Watch

    The Apple Watch is a smartwatch developed by Apple Inc., first introduced in 2014 as the company’s entry into the wearable technology market. It has evolved through multiple generations, integrating health monitoring, communication, and connectivity features, and has become one of the world’s best-selling wearable devices.

    Paraguay

    Paraguay is a landlocked South American nation with a rich history rooted in its indigenous Guarani heritage and its period as a Spanish colonial mission center. Its cultural identity was forged by its isolation after the devastating War of the Triple Alliance (1864-1870) and is renowned for its unique Guarani-Spanish bilingualism and traditional arts like ñandutí lace.

    Latin America

    Latin America is a vast cultural region spanning the Americas where Romance languages (primarily Spanish and Portuguese) are spoken, defined by a shared history of indigenous civilizations, European colonization, and the struggle for independence. Its modern identity is a rich fusion of these indigenous, European, and African influences, which is vividly expressed through its music, literature, and diverse traditions.

    U.S.

    The United States of America is a federal republic founded in 1776 after declaring independence from Great Britain. Its history is marked by westward expansion, the Civil War, and its emergence as a global superpower in the 20th century. The country is a vast and diverse nation known for its influential culture, democratic ideals, and being a melting pot of immigrants.

    EU

    The European Union (EU) is a unique political and economic union of 27 European countries, established after World War II to foster economic cooperation and prevent future conflicts. It has since evolved from its initial form as the European Coal and Steel Community in 1952 into a major global force, creating a single market and a common currency, the euro, used by 20 member states.