The Apple Watch Series 9 is recognized as the first model to achieve carbon neutrality.
A group of seven customers has initiated a lawsuit against Apple, claiming the company made deceptive assertions regarding the carbon-neutral status of certain watch models.
The controversy surrounding Apple’s environmental claims began with the introduction of the Apple Watch Series 9 in 2023. Critics, including an environmental research organization from China, labeled these assertions as “greenwashing,” a sentiment echoed by various consumer advocacy groups across Europe.
As reported by Reuters, this legal action involves users of not only the Series 9 but also other models like the Apple Watch SE and Ultra 2. The plaintiffs assert that if they were aware of what they consider misleading marketing practices, they might have refrained from purchasing these devices or opted for lesser-priced alternatives.
Filed on February 26, 2025, at a federal court in San Jose, California by representatives from Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP, this complaint includes individuals from California, Florida, and Washington D.C. The core argument revolves around allegations that Apple’s claims about carbon neutrality are based on offsetting rather than actual reductions in emissions.
Furthermore, it is claimed that Apple’s offset projects pertain to conservation efforts in regions like Kenya and China aimed at safeguarding forests against deforestation. The plaintiffs argue that these initiatives are unrelated to Apple’s operations or impact on emissions reduction.
They stated in their filing: “In both scenarios mentioned above, any reductions in carbon would occur independently of Apple’s participation or even existence of these projects. Since Apple’s claims rely heavily on these projects’ validity and effectiveness—such assertions can be deemed false and misleading.”
It remains unclear how factors such as device usability or distinctions between offsets versus true sustainability directly influence those bringing forward this lawsuit. At a preliminary glance, it appears that financial incentives for attorneys and claimants may overshadow genuine concerns regarding environmental responsibility among users.
In response to inquiries from AppleInsider concerning this legal matter, while not addressing it directly per se its arguments pertaining to carbon neutrality remained clear:
“We take pride in our products classified as carbon neutral due to our leading-edge advancements in sustainable energy solutions and low-carbon design methodologies. Our commitment has led to an over three-fourths reduction in emissions associated with each unit sold; additionally we are investing substantially into ecological initiatives projected to remove hundreds of thousands metric tons’ worth of CO2 emissions annually—our ongoing innovations reflect significant progress crucial for both our business outcome goals and global ecology,” stated an Apple representative.
Moreover,”They reiterated previous commitments made about achieving complete (100%) operational net-zero footprint by year-end 2030.”
Updated: February 28th at precisely ten-forty-five A.M Eastern Time with statements provided by Apple Inc.’
The Apple Watch Series 9 is recognized as the first model to achieve carbon neutrality.
A group of seven customers has initiated a lawsuit against Apple, claiming the company made deceptive assertions regarding the carbon-neutral status of certain watch models.
The controversy surrounding Apple’s environmental claims began with the introduction of the Apple Watch Series 9 in 2023. Critics, including an environmental research organization from China, labeled these assertions as “greenwashing,” a sentiment echoed by various consumer advocacy groups across Europe.
As reported by Reuters, this legal action involves users of not only the Series 9 but also other models like the Apple Watch SE and Ultra 2. The plaintiffs assert that if they were aware of what they consider misleading marketing practices, they might have refrained from purchasing these devices or opted for lesser-priced alternatives.
Filed on February 26, 2025, at a federal court in San Jose, California by representatives from Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP, this complaint includes individuals from California, Florida, and Washington D.C. The core argument revolves around allegations that Apple’s claims about carbon neutrality are based on offsetting rather than actual reductions in emissions.
Furthermore, it is claimed that Apple’s offset projects pertain to conservation efforts in regions like Kenya and China aimed at safeguarding forests against deforestation. The plaintiffs argue that these initiatives are unrelated to Apple’s operations or impact on emissions reduction.
They stated in their filing: “In both scenarios mentioned above, any reductions in carbon would occur independently of Apple’s participation or even existence of these projects. Since Apple’s claims rely heavily on these projects’ validity and effectiveness—such assertions can be deemed false and misleading.”
It remains unclear how factors such as device usability or distinctions between offsets versus true sustainability directly influence those bringing forward this lawsuit. At a preliminary glance, it appears that financial incentives for attorneys and claimants may overshadow genuine concerns regarding environmental responsibility among users.
In response to inquiries from AppleInsider concerning this legal matter, while not addressing it directly per se its arguments pertaining to carbon neutrality remained clear:
“We take pride in our products classified as carbon neutral due to our leading-edge advancements in sustainable energy solutions and low-carbon design methodologies. Our commitment has led to an over three-fourths reduction in emissions associated with each unit sold; additionally we are investing substantially into ecological initiatives projected to remove hundreds of thousands metric tons’ worth of CO2 emissions annually—our ongoing innovations reflect significant progress crucial for both our business outcome goals and global ecology,” stated an Apple representative.
Moreover,”They reiterated previous commitments made about achieving complete (100%) operational net-zero footprint by year-end 2030.”
Updated: February 28th at precisely ten-forty-five A.M Eastern Time with statements provided by Apple Inc.’
