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Apple is being sued for allegations of deceptive carbon neutrality claims regarding its watches.
Customers claim deceptive advertising concerning the environmental sustainability of the Apple Watch Series 9, SE, and Ultra 2.
Apple Inc. is confronted with a legal challenge from seven consumers who assert that the company's claim of the Apple Watch Series 9, SE, and Ultra 2 being 'carbon neutral' is deceptive and untrue.
The lawsuit was filed on Wednesday in a federal court in San Jose, California.
The plaintiffs, from California, Florida, and Washington, D.C., argue that had they been aware of the supposed inaccuracies regarding the watches' environmental impact, they either would have refrained from purchasing the smartwatches or opted for a less expensive alternative.
Apple unveiled these models in September 2023, underscoring their commitment to carbon neutrality achieved through emissions reduction and investments in carbon offset initiatives.
At the heart of the plaintiffs’ case is the assertion that two carbon offset projects, cited by Apple as contributing to its corporate emissions goals, lack genuine effectiveness in delivering actual carbon reductions.
The Chyulu Hills Project in Kenya reportedly includes land within a national park that has been off-limits to deforestation since 1983. Similarly, the Guinan Project in China is said to involve areas that were already significantly forested before the project commenced in 2015.
The lawsuit claims, "In both instances, the carbon reductions would have taken place regardless of Apple's involvement or the existence of the projects.
Since Apple's carbon neutrality claims rely on the effectiveness and authenticity of these projects, those claims are misleading and untrue."
Research referenced by the plaintiffs shows that 70% of consumers in the U.S. and Canada view environmental sustainability as a vital consideration in their purchasing choices, according to a study by the National Retail Federation and IBM.
As of Thursday, Apple had not provided any comments regarding the lawsuit.
The company, based in Cupertino, California, has set an ambitious goal to achieve carbon neutrality throughout its entire operation, including its supply chain, by 2030.
The lawsuit demands unspecified monetary damages and seeks an injunction to bar Apple from marketing these three models as carbon neutral.
The case is officially registered under the title Dib et al v Apple Inc, with filings in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, case number 25-02043.
The lawsuit was filed on Wednesday in a federal court in San Jose, California.
The plaintiffs, from California, Florida, and Washington, D.C., argue that had they been aware of the supposed inaccuracies regarding the watches' environmental impact, they either would have refrained from purchasing the smartwatches or opted for a less expensive alternative.
Apple unveiled these models in September 2023, underscoring their commitment to carbon neutrality achieved through emissions reduction and investments in carbon offset initiatives.
At the heart of the plaintiffs’ case is the assertion that two carbon offset projects, cited by Apple as contributing to its corporate emissions goals, lack genuine effectiveness in delivering actual carbon reductions.
The Chyulu Hills Project in Kenya reportedly includes land within a national park that has been off-limits to deforestation since 1983. Similarly, the Guinan Project in China is said to involve areas that were already significantly forested before the project commenced in 2015.
The lawsuit claims, "In both instances, the carbon reductions would have taken place regardless of Apple's involvement or the existence of the projects.
Since Apple's carbon neutrality claims rely on the effectiveness and authenticity of these projects, those claims are misleading and untrue."
Research referenced by the plaintiffs shows that 70% of consumers in the U.S. and Canada view environmental sustainability as a vital consideration in their purchasing choices, according to a study by the National Retail Federation and IBM.
As of Thursday, Apple had not provided any comments regarding the lawsuit.
The company, based in Cupertino, California, has set an ambitious goal to achieve carbon neutrality throughout its entire operation, including its supply chain, by 2030.
The lawsuit demands unspecified monetary damages and seeks an injunction to bar Apple from marketing these three models as carbon neutral.
The case is officially registered under the title Dib et al v Apple Inc, with filings in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, case number 25-02043.
