Apple Faces Lawsuit Over Misleading Carbon Neutral Claims for Watches

Apple is facing a lawsuit filed in the Northern District of California by consumers alleging that its claims of the Apple Watch Series 9, SE, and Ultra 2 being 'carbon neutral' are misleading. Plaintiffs assert that the carbon offset projects in Kenya and China, which Apple uses to support these claims, do not achieve genuine carbon reductions as the lands were already under protection or heavily forested before Apple's involvement. The lawsuit, initiated by seven buyers, seeks unspecified damages and an injunction against Apple from marketing these watches as carbon neutral. This legal challenge highlights broader skepticism from environmental groups and consumers who view Apple's reliance on carbon offsetting as insufficient for true carbon neutrality. Apple has not commented on the lawsuit but maintains its commitment to becoming fully carbon neutral by 2030. The plaintiffs emphasize that sustainability is a significant factor for many consumers, referencing a study by the National Retail Federation and IBM.