Court Rules Best Western Hotel's "Climate-Neutral" Advertising Unlawful
A German court has ruled that advertising hotel stays as "climate-neutral" by German Hospitality Management GmbH (Best Western) was unlawful. The environmental group Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) initiated the legal action.
The Regional Court of Berlin has ruled that German Hospitality Management GmbH, which operates a Best Western hotel in Mannheim among others, is no longer permitted to advertise hotel stays as "climate-neutral" or "CO2-neutral" without further explanation. The ruling was issued in a case brought by the environmental organization Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH).
DUH had challenged the advertising practices of the "Sure Hotel by Best Western Mannheim City," which claimed to offer climate-neutral overnight stays. The court found that the company had only considered emissions from electricity and gas consumption, neglecting other significant sources such as waste disposal and laundry services.
DUH described the practice as misleading consumer information and "greenwashing." The organization is urging Justice Minister Marco Buschmann to implement a swift and comprehensive ban on environmental claims based on alleged carbon offsetting.
Jürgen Resch, DUH's federal managing director, stated that companies must scientifically substantiate their environmental claims and demonstrate real, measurable emission reductions. "Companies should no longer be able to buy their way out of responsibility," Resch added.