In 2020, Apple announced an ambitious plan to achieve carbon neutrality across its entire business by 2030, encompassing its manufacturing supply chain, data centers, and product lines. This commitment was highlighted in September 2023 when Apple introduced the Apple Watch Series 9 as its first carbon-neutral product. Similarly, the M4 Mac mini was declared the first carbon-neutral Mac. However, recent developments have led Apple to remove these carbon-neutral designations from its product pages and packaging.
Removal of Carbon Neutral Labels
Observations by French website WatchGeneration, as reported by MacRumors, indicate that Apple has omitted the term carbon neutral from several product webpages, including those for the Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and M4 Mac mini. Notably, the Mac mini’s product page was updated following Apple’s Awe Dropping event on September 9. Despite these changes, the Product Environmental Report for the Mac mini, dated October 2024, still references carbon neutrality. In contrast, the environmental reports for the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 lack any mention of carbon neutrality, though they continue to detail the devices’ recycled content and Apple’s use of renewable energy in manufacturing.
Packaging Adjustments
In addition to online content, Apple has modified its product packaging. The Apple Watch SE 2 box previously featured a symbol indicating the device’s carbon-neutral status, a label that has been removed from the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 packaging. Similarly, the M4 Mac mini’s packaging no longer displays the carbon-neutral label.
Criticism and Legal Challenges
Apple’s initial carbon-neutral claims faced scrutiny from various environmental organizations. Shortly after the release of the Apple Watch Series 9, a Chinese environmental research organization criticized Apple’s assertions as a form of climate-washing. European environmental groups also labeled the claims as scientifically inaccurate and misleading. In August 2025, a German court ruled that Apple’s carbon neutrality claim was unfounded and violated competition law. The court highlighted concerns about the sustainability of Apple’s offsetting projects, noting that a significant portion of the project area was only contracted until 2029, with no guarantee of continuation thereafter.
Regulatory Implications
The European Directive 2024/825, set to take effect in 2026, explicitly prohibits claims based on the offsetting of greenhouse gas emissions to assert that a product has a neutral, reduced, or positive impact on the environment. Apple’s reliance on offsetting strategies, such as investing in projects that plant eucalyptus trees in Paraguay to obtain carbon credits, falls under this directive. These carbon credits are intended to offset the carbon emissions produced during manufacturing and transportation. However, the effectiveness and transparency of such offsetting projects have been questioned, leading to accusations of greenwashing.
Apple’s Environmental Progress
Despite these challenges, Apple continues to make strides toward its environmental goals. As of April 2025, the company reported a 60% reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions compared to 2015 levels. This progress is part of Apple’s broader Apple 2030 initiative, which aims for complete carbon neutrality by 2030. The company has also increased its use of recycled materials, with the 2025 MacBook Air comprising 55% recycled content—the highest of any Apple product to date.
Conclusion
Apple’s decision to remove carbon-neutral labels from its products reflects the complexities and challenges associated with achieving and substantiating environmental claims. While the company remains committed to its 2030 carbon neutrality goal, it faces ongoing scrutiny and regulatory pressures to ensure transparency and accuracy in its environmental initiatives.
