Energy News
ENERGY NEWS
'Climate neutral' ad claims must be backed up: German court
Reuters Events SMR and Advanced Reactor 2025
'Climate neutral' ad claims must be backed up: German court
by AFP Staff Writers
Frankfurt, Germany (AFP) June 27, 2024

Companies in Germany can only promote their products as "climate neutral" if they back up the environmental claims with sufficient detail in the advert itself, a top court ruled Thursday.

The ruling was made in a case brought against German confectionery manufacturer Katjes by an association that aims to tackle unfair business practices.

It centred on an advert that appeared in a trade publication for the food industry, which stated that "since 2021, Katjes has been producing all products in a climate-neutral fashion".

It included a picture of a packet of fruit gums with a "climate neutral" logo and the website address of a partner firm that helps companies in reducing their greenhouse gas emissions.

The ruling found the production of the sweets was not carbon-neutral however -- rather, the confectionery manufacturer supported environmental protection projects to offset emissions through its partner.

Two lower courts had dismissed the case but the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) ruled in favour of the association, the Centre for Combatting Unfair Competition.

"In the case of advertising that uses an ambiguous environmental term such as 'climate neutral', the specific meaning must be explained in the advertising itself in order to avoid misleading the public," the court said in its decision.

The risks of misleading were "particularly high" in environment-related advertising, it said, adding that labels such as "climate neutral" were important for consumers when making purchasing decisions.

When it came to the Katjes advert, it was vital to explain the claim as directly reducing emissions is considered more important for climate protection than offsetting them, the court found.

Katjes must stop using the misleading advert and reimburse legal costs, the court ruled.

The European Union is already taking steps to crack down on greenwashing when it comes to labelling of products sold in the bloc.

Earlier this month, member states agreed on a draft of new rules laying out that environmental claims will have to be verified using strict criteria. The legislation will now have to be finalised in the European Parliament.

Related Links

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
ENERGY NEWS
In Aberdeen, climate and energy take centre stage in UK election
Aberdeen, United Kingdom (AFP) June 27, 2024
In Europe's oil and gas "capital", Aberdeen, voters are apprehensive about Labour's plans for combatting climate change if the opposition party wins next month's UK general election as expected. Labour scaled back its green investment pledges under pressure from the ruling Conservatives about how it would fund them, but still promises to make Britain a "clean energy superpower". The speed of the transition from fossil fuels to renewables is on the minds of many residents of Aberdeen on Scotland' ... read more

ENERGY NEWS
'Climate neutral' ad claims must be backed up: German court

In Aberdeen, climate and energy take centre stage in UK election

Japan urged to triple renewables capacity by 2035

Russia continues attacks on Ukraine's power grid

ENERGY NEWS
Western tariffs a 'challenge' for China's battery giant CATL

Protestors rally against Serbian lithium mine

Swedish police investigate deaths of electric car battery plant workers

'Not crazy to be optimistic' on climate tech, Gates tells investors

ENERGY NEWS
Why US offshore wind power is struggling - the good, the bad and the opportunity

Robots enhance wind turbine blade production at NREL

Offshore wind turbines may reduce nearby power output

Wind Energy Expansion Planned for China's Rural Areas

ENERGY NEWS
Vortex Structures Uncovered in Solar Cell and Lighting Materials

Solar to be Vatican's sole energy source, pope orders

Trump would 'irreparably' damage pace of clean tech roll out: Kerry

Chinese Premier Li targets clean energy in Australia visit

ENERGY NEWS
Framatome secures EU funding for 100% European fuel development

Kazakhstan to hold nuclear plant referendum in autumn

Key neutron transfer mechanism could lead to advances in nuclear physics

Major Niger uranium mine back in public control: govt

ENERGY NEWS
Sky's the limit for biofuels

Sustainable Aviation Fuel Reduces Non-CO2 Emissions

Vast Gets Approval for Solar Methanol Plant in Port Augusta

Singapore shipper claims milestone with bio-methanol refuelling

ENERGY NEWS
Protesters target Chinese embassies over E. Africa oil project

US targets petrol tankers over Iran nuclear 'escalation'

DLR opens new research facility for climate-friendly shipping in Kiel

UK judges block new oil site over indirect climate impact

ENERGY NEWS
'Not a lab experiment': climate tech CEO on green innovation

Thousands march in London to call for 'urgent' climate action

Four in five people want more climate action: UN survey

Once fruitful, Libyan village suffers climate crisis

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.