Energy supplier NEW prohibited from marketing natural gas as "eco gas"

Berlin – The environmental organization Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) has successfully challenged the marketing practices of energy supplier NEW Niederrhein Energie und Wasser GmbH. A Düsseldorf regional court ruled in favor of DUH, prohibiting the company from advertising its fossil natural gas as "eco gas." DUH argued that the term "eco" misleads consumers about the environmental and climate impacts of conventional natural gas.

According to DUH, such marketing can encourage consumers to invest in gas heating systems, while more climate-friendly alternatives like heat pumps are readily available. The organization asserts that natural gas is neither "eco," "sustainable," nor "environmentally friendly," but rather significantly harmful to the climate.

The court's decision also casts doubt on the company's use of foreign carbon offset programs to compensate for emissions. DUH contends that forest protection projects do not offer long-term CO2 compensation that matches the prolonged climate impact of fossil gas emissions.

Deutsche Umwelthilfe views this ruling as a significant signal to all companies that they cannot get away with misleading environmental claims and "greenwashing." The organization states it will continue its legal efforts against misleading marketing of fossil fuels, which it believes hinders the adoption of truly climate-friendly solutions.