Apple Watch class action claims about carbon neutrality dismissed

Apple class action overview:

• Who: A California federal judge dismissed a class action lawsuit filed against Apple Inc.
• Why: The judge determined the complaint failed to plausibly allege that Apple’s claims of carbon neutrality are false.
• Where: The Apple class action lawsuit was filed in California federal court.

A California federal judge has dismissed a class action lawsuit alleging Apple made false claims about the carbon neutrality of its Apple Watches. 

U.S. District Judge Noel Wise determined that the plaintiffs’ complaint failed to plausibly allege Apple’s carbon neutrality claims are false and dismissed the case with leave to amend.

The plaintiffs filed the Apple Watch class action lawsuit in February 2025, alleging the company made deceptive statements regarding its global emissions, specifically its marketing claims that certain Apple Watches are “carbon neutral.”

Apple moved to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing that the plaintiffs failed to state a claim.

In an order granting Apple’s motion to dismiss, Wise noted that the plaintiffs’ allegations were based on their own analysis of Apple’s carbon credits, which they claimed were insufficient to render the company or its Apple Watches carbon neutral.

However, the judge found that the plaintiffs’ analysis relied on unsupported assumptions and lacked validation from experts, scientists or other objective sources, making the allegations insufficient to survive a motion to dismiss.

Judge finds reliance on Verra carbon credits to be reliable

Wise noted that Apple relied on carbon credits certified by Verra, a globally recognized nonprofit organization that administers one of the world’s leading voluntary carbon offset programs.

Apple argued that its reliance on Verra’s certified carbon credits should shield it from liability, as the company had taken reasonable steps to ensure its carbon neutrality claims were accurate.

The judge agreed, finding that the plaintiffs had not alleged any facts that would suggest Apple’s reliance on Verra’s carbon credits was unreasonable.

Wise dismissed the Apple Watch class action lawsuit with leave to amend, giving the plaintiffs an opportunity to file an amended complaint that addresses the deficiencies identified in the order.

In other Apple news, an Illinois judge ruled a complaint alleging Apple violated Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act by failing to obtain informed consent before storing and using voiceprints from its Siri users will proceed as a class action.

What do you think of the judge’s decision to dismiss the Apple Watch class action lawsuit? Let us know in the comments.

The plaintiffs are represented by attorneys from Gutride Safier LLP, Bursor & Fisher, P.A., and Clarkson Law Firm, P.C.

The Apple class action lawsuit is Dib, et al. v. Apple Inc., Case No. 25-cv-02043-NW, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

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