European consumer groups say Apple's term "carbon neutralization" is misleading
Thanks to CTOnews.com netizen Alejandro86 for the clue delivery! CTOnews.com, Oct. 25 (Xinhua)-- Apple launched two "carbon neutral" products-- Apple Wach Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2-- at its autumn special event in September, but this claim was today dismissed by the European consumer organization BEUC as "fake" and a "climate whitening behavior."
Apple said in the official press release "Apple launches the first series of carbon-neutral products":
Each carbon-neutral Apple Watch meets the following stringent standards: 100% clean electricity is used in the manufacturing process, and 30% of the total weight of recycled or renewable materials is not transported by air. As a result of these measures, all the tables have achieved at least 75% reduction in emissions. Apple will use high-quality carbon emission rights to offset the remaining small amount of greenhouse gas emissions, thus achieving carbon neutralization of the product carbon footprint.
The European consumer group BEUC has issued a ban on Apple's use of the term, according to the Financial Times:
After a long crackdown on "green washing" by the European Union, the US tech giant decided to rely on points to offset 7-12 kilograms of greenhouse gas emissions from each new watch, prompting a strong reaction from consumers.
Monique Gojens, director-general of BEUC, an European consumer organisation, told the Financial Times:
Carbon neutralization is scientifically inaccurate and can mislead consumers. The European Union recently decided to ban carbon neutralization statements and will remove such false information from the market, and Apple Watch is no exception.
CTOnews.com Note: BEUC is an umbrella organization made up of 45 independent consumer organizations from 31 countries. Its main role is to represent them in EU institutions and defend the interests of European consumers.
Gilles Dufrasne, policy officer at the non-profit organization Carbon Market Watch, said:
Giving consumers the impression that buying the watch has no effect on the climate is misleading and a technique to increase sales.
