Deutsche Umwelthilfe wins legal ruling against Netto over "climate neutral" advertising

Berlin – Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) has achieved a significant legal victory in its campaign against misleading advertising claims of "climate neutrality." Netto Marken-Discount, Germany's third-largest discounter, has withdrawn its appeal concerning its "climate neutral" Cafèt Latte Cappuccino, conceding that it can no longer promote the product as such.

The DUH's lawsuit argued that Netto's climate neutrality claims were based solely on the purchase of emission credits from short-lived forest projects. The Landgericht Amberg had previously ruled that such advertising is impermissible when it relies exclusively on compensation mechanisms rather than actual emission reductions.

Jürgen Resch, federal managing director of DUH, emphasized the decision's significance as a clear signal to the retail sector to cease misleading consumers with environmental claims. He noted that numerous court rulings have already confirmed strict requirements for "climate neutral" advertising and urged companies like Netto to focus on real emission reductions instead of relying on unsubstantiated compensation certificates. Resch also called for government action to prohibit climate neutrality claims based solely on compensation.

The case highlights a broader effort to combat deceptive environmental marketing in Germany. DUH has been actively pursuing such cases, and their legal successes are setting important precedents for other businesses. Consumers are expected to receive more accurate information regarding the true environmental impact of products in the future.