Apple has quietly stripped the “carbon-neutral” label from its latest products, including the Apple Watch Series 11, Watch Ultra 3, and M4 Mac mini. The shift wasn’t announced but became clear after the company updated product pages post-iPhone event in September 2025.
Apple carbon-neutral claims hit a legal wall
The move comes on the heels of an August court ruling in Germany, which barred Apple from using the term “carbon-neutral” in ads for the Apple Watch. The case, pushed by environmental group Deutsche Umwelthilfe, argued that Apple’s marketing misled buyers by leaning on carbon offset programs. With new EU rules arriving in 2026, the company widened the removal globally to avoid future conflicts.
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How Apple carbon-neutral goals were structured
Internally, Apple hasn’t changed course. Its strategy involves cutting 75% of product emissions directly, then offsetting the rest through projects like Paraguay’s eucalyptus reforestation plan. Apple said each labeled product used:
- 100% clean electricity for manufacturing
- At least 30% recycled or renewable materials
- 50% of shipments via land, not air
- Offsets from third-party certified programs
But regulators weren’t convinced. The German court pointed out that Apple hadn’t locked in its land lease in Paraguay through 2029, making the offset’s permanence uncertain.
Biodiversity questions and carbon offset concerns
Ecologists have pushed back on Apple’s choice of fast-growing eucalyptus trees. While effective for carbon capture, they’re water-intensive and reduce biodiversity. That criticism, paired with the lease issue, undermined Apple’s credibility in court.
Apple carbon-neutral target still stands for 2030
Despite the rebranding, Apple says its environmental commitments remain. A company spokesperson confirmed that the label removal reflects legal compliance not a shift in priorities. The company still aims for full carbon neutrality across its supply chain by 2030.
Labels fade, but the strategy stays
Apple’s marketing may be adjusting, but the roadmap hasn’t changed. For now, the logo is gone. The ambition behind it isn’t.
