Apple’s latest smartwatch has landed in hot water in Germany, where a court has ruled against the company’s claims that the Apple Watch Series 10 is “climate neutral.” The decision casts doubt on Apple’s green branding and raises questions about the wider use of carbon offsets in the tech industry.
A Frankfurt court barred Apple from advertising the Watch Series 10 as carbon-neutral in Germany starting next month, according to Reuters. Apple promotes the $399 watch as its most sustainable yet, highlighting the use of 100% renewable energy in production, recycled or sustainably sourced packaging, and lower emissions thanks to ground and sea shipping. By Apple’s calculation, the device generates 8.3kg of CO₂ during its lifecycle, which the company claims to offset through carbon certificates linked to eucalyptus plantations in Paraguay.
But environmental groups challenged the approach, saying these plantations are monocultures with high water demands and only leased until 2029—raising doubts about their long-term ability to trap carbon. The court sided with that view, calling the practice misleading and essentially “greenwashing.” Apple responded by saying the decision “largely confirmed” its approach to carbon neutrality, though it hasn’t said whether it plans to appeal.
For Apple, the ruling could be a setback to its broader pledge to reach full carbon neutrality by 2030. The case highlights growing skepticism around offset-based sustainability claims, which many argue don’t deliver lasting environmental benefits. In Germany, Apple will now need to adjust its marketing to emphasize tangible efforts—such as renewable energy use and recycled materials—rather than leaning heavily on offsets.
The Apple Watch Series 10 itself still packs plenty of appeal, with a titanium case, 1,220 mm² display area, and impressively accurate health tracking. But in one of Apple’s biggest European markets, it’s not just the hardware under the spotlight—it’s the company’s environmental promises.
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