Archive Photo: Apple was sued by consumers and it is wrong to say that three versions of Apple watches are “carbon neutral”. |Picture source: AP
Apple has been sued by consumers, saying it shows that three versions of Apple watches are “carbon neutral” and environmentally friendly is false and misleading.
In a complaint filed Wednesday in California federal court, seven buyers of the Green Label Apple Watch Series 9, SE and Ultra 2 said they wouldn’t buy watches or wouldn’t pay if they knew the truth.
Apple, also known for its iPhones, launched its watches in September 2023, saying they will be used by a combination of lower emissions and the amount of carbon purchased.
But, plaintiffs — California, Florida and Washington, D.C., two carbon offset projects Apple relies on its corporate emission targets to provide no “real” carbon reduction.
They say most of the land in Kenya’s Chyulu Hills project is located in a national park that has been protected from deforestation since 1983, while the land in the Chinese Guinan project was covered with trees even before the project began in 2015.
“In both cases, carbon reduction will be reduced regardless of Apple’s participation or the existence of the project,” the complaint said. “As Apple’s carbon neutrality claims are based on the validity and legitimacy of these projects, Apple’s carbon neutrality claims are false and misleading.”
The plaintiff also said that 70% of us U.S. and Canadian consumers believe that environmental sustainability is critical when purchasing, citing research from the National Retail Federation and IBM.
In a statement responding to the lawsuit Thursday, Apple did not discuss the case, but defended its environmental records.
“We have significantly reduced the emissions of the Apple Watch by 75%, and we are investing heavily in nature-based projects to remove hundreds of thousands of metric tons of carbon from the air,” it said. “We have detailed our work for users.”
The Cupertino, California-based company aims to include neutrality in its supply chain by 2030.
Wednesday’s lawsuit sought unspecified damages, banning Apple’s marketing as a carbon-neutral three-type watch.
The case is Dib et al., Apple, of the U.S. District Court in Northern District of California, No. 25-02043.
publishing – February 28, 2025 at 09:43 am IST
