„Climate-positive balanced"
Annex I No. 4a UCPD as amended by EmpCo (EU 2024/825)
What does it mean?
"Climate-positive balanced" and "Carbon Negative" are variants of "climate-neutral" that suggest removing more CO₂ than is emitted. From 27 September 2026, this claim is also subject to a per-se ban under EmpCo if it is based on offsetting. The BGH judgment I ZR 98/23 (Katjes, 27 June 2024) confirms that misleading CO₂ accounting without transparent methodology is inadmissible. A reduction in emissions must be demonstrable, for example through ISO 14064-1. Additional CO₂ sinks are only permissible with recognised standards such as VCS or SBTi and independent verification. The mere claim "climate-positive" without concrete data is misleading.
Typical phrasings
- "We are climate-positive balanced"
- "Carbon Negative through reforestation"
- "Our company balances climate-positive"
What you can write instead
"CO₂ reduction of 42% since 2019, additionally 150 t CO₂ sink through reforestation (verified according to VCS)."
Required evidence
- ISO 14064-1 verification
- Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)
- Verified Carbon Standard (VCS)
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."Does your website use „Climate-positive balanced"?
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