„Climate Positive"
Annex I No. 4c 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. Relevant to substantiability is whether the methodology is transparently disclosed and supported by independent verification according to recognised standards such as ISO 14064-1 or PAS 2060. 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'
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. 4c UCPD (i.d.F. EmpCo) — Neutralitäts-/Reduktions-Claim auf Kompensations-Basis
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 Aussage, die sich auf der Kompensation von Treibhausgasemissionen begründet und wonach ein Produkt hinsichtlich der Treibhausgasemissionen neutrale, verringerte oder positive Auswirkungen auf die Umwelt hat."ENEnglish (Official Journal, EN version)aufklappenzuklappen
„Claiming, based on the offsetting of greenhouse gas emissions, that a product has a neutral, reduced or positive impact on the environment in terms of greenhouse gas emissions."FRFrançais (Journal officiel, version FR)aufklappenzuklappen
„Affirmer, sur la base de la compensation des émissions de gaz à effet de serre, qu'un produit a un impact neutre, réduit ou positif sur l'environnement en termes d'émissions de gaz à effet de serre."NLNederlands (Publicatieblad, NL versie)aufklappenzuklappen
„Beweren dat een product dankzij de compensatie van broeikasgasemissies een neutraal, verminderd of positief milieueffect heeft wat broeikasgasemissies betreft."Empcora is a pure checking and documentation service and provides general information only on the legal situation based on the EmpCo Directive (EU 2024/825) and the unfair-competition / consumer-protection law transposing it in your jurisdiction including references. This is not individual legal advice and includes neither the rewriting nor the drafting of texts. No liability or warranty is assumed for the correctness, completeness or up-to-dateness of the analysis, nor for any legal consequences. The legal assessment of an individual case rests with an admitted law firm or lawyer.