By Lizbeth Espinosa
Apple has been sued in the United States for allegedly making misleading claims about carbon neutrality in the production of the Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Apple Watch SE (second generation).
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, alleges that Apple promoted its watches as “carbon neutral” based on environmental offset projects in China and Kenya that, according to the plaintiffs, do not generate actual carbon reductions.
The purchasers argue that Apple misled consumers, affecting their ability to make informed decisions and causing economic harm. They seek to have the case treated as a class action to represent all affected purchasers.
Apple defends its environmental strategy and argues that it has reduced emissions by 75%, in addition to removing 485,000 tons of CO₂ through reforestation projects. However, the plaintiffs question the validity of these projects and accuse the company of greenwashing.
The risk of greenwashing and its legal impact
Greenwashing occurs when a company exaggerates or misrepresents its environmental commitment to improve its image among consumers. This type of practice has gained relevance due to the increase in regulations and the greater demands of consumers and government agencies in terms of sustainability.
The consequences of greenwashing can go beyond reputational damage, including:
- Class actions for misleading advertising.
- Regulatory investigations that may result in financial penalties.
- Loss of investor and customer confidence, affecting the profitability of the business.
The importance of effective environmental compliance
Against this backdrop, companies must ensure that their sustainability strategies are verifiable and comply with regulatory standards. Having specialized legal advice is key to:
- Audit and validate environmental declarations.
- Avoid risks due to misleading advertising.
- Implement effective compliance strategies.
At Vega Guerrero y Asociados we advise your business to ensure effective compliance with international environmental standards, helping you mitigate legal and reputational risks. If you have questions or need guidance, contact us.
