„Climate-positive balanced"
Annex I No. 4c 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"
Required evidence
- ISO 14064-1 verification
- Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)
- Verified Carbon Standard (VCS)
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."Does your website use „Climate-positive balanced"?
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