Apple sued over 'misleading' carbon neutrality claims for its smartwatches
What's the story
Apple is being sued by seven of its smartwatch customers, who accuse the tech giant of making deceptive claims about the carbon neutrality of select models.
The controversy dates back to 2023 when Apple first claimed its Watch Series 9 to be carbon neutral.
The claim was quickly disputed by a Chinese environmental research organization that called it "climate-washing," a position later backed by European consumer groups.
Legal action
Lawsuit filed by Apple Watch users
The lawsuit was filed on February 26, 2025, in a federal court in San Jose, California. The plaintiffs are users of the Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch SE, and Apple Watch Ultra 2.
They claim that they wouldn't have bought these watches or would have paid less had they not been misled by Apple's claims of carbon neutrality.
Carbon controversy
Plaintiffs question Apple's carbon offsetting approach
The plaintiffs, who are from California, Florida, and Washington DC, claim that Apple is resorting to carbon offsetting instead of actual carbon reductions.
They note that Apple's carbon offsetting projects include land in Kenya and China that has been protected from deforestation.
The claimants contend these two tree protection initiatives have no connection with Apple.
They claim, "Because Apple's carbon neutrality claims are predicated on the efficacy and legitimacy of these projects, Apple's carbon neutrality claims are false and misleading."