„Climate Positive"
Annex I No. 4a UCPD as amended by EmpCo (EU 2024/825)
What does it mean?
'Climate positive' suggests that a company or product sequesters more greenhouse gases than it causes. From 27 September 2026, the EmpCo Directive (EU 2024/825) subjects this term to an absolute advertising prohibition, as it may be misleading and falls into the category of 'per se prohibited' practices. The BGH judgment I ZR 98/23 (Katjes, 27 June 2024) makes clear that offsetting CO₂ emissions alone does not constitute a sufficient basis for using such claims. To communicate in a legally compliant manner, transparent disclosure of the methodology and independent verification by recognised standards such as ISO 14064-1 or PAS 2060 are essential. A mere assertion without evidence constitutes a misleading commercial practice pursuant to § 5 UWG.
Typical phrasings
- 'Climate-positive company'
- 'Climate positive by 2025'
- 'We are climate-positive certified'
What you can write instead
We offset 15,000 tonnes of CO₂ more than we emit annually (verified in accordance with PAS 2060 by TÜV Rheinland, report dated 15 March 2025).
Required evidence
- ISO 14064-1 (CO2 verification)
- PAS 2060 (carbon neutrality + offsetting)
- Gold Standard (CO2 offsetting projects)
- Life cycle assessment (LCA) in accordance with ISO 14040/44
Rechtsgrundlage (Originalwortlaut)
Anhang I Nr. 4a UCPD (i.d.F. EmpCo) — generische Umweltaussage ohne anerkannte Nachweise
Quelle: Richtlinie (EU) 2024/825 (EmpCo) — verbindlich ist ausschließlich die im Amtsblatt der Europäischen Union veröffentlichte Fassung.
DEDeutsch (amtlich, DE-Fassung Amtsblatt)aufklappenzuklappen
„Treffen einer allgemeinen Umweltaussage, wobei der Gewerbetreibende die anerkannte hervorragende Umweltleistung, auf die sich die Aussage bezieht, nicht nachweisen kann."ENEnglish (Official Journal, EN version)aufklappenzuklappen
„Making a generic environmental claim for which the trader is not able to demonstrate recognised excellent environmental performance relevant to the claim."FRFrançais (Journal officiel, version FR)aufklappenzuklappen
„Présenter une allégation environnementale générique au sujet de laquelle le professionnel n'est pas en mesure de démontrer l'excellente performance environnementale reconnue en rapport avec l'allégation."NLNederlands (Publicatieblad, NL versie)aufklappenzuklappen
„Het maken van een generieke milieuclaim zonder dat de handelaar erkende voortreffelijke milieuprestaties kan aantonen die relevant zijn voor de claim."