A consumer advocacy organization (Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband e.V.) brought an action against an energy supply company (Vattenfall GmbH) in the Regional Court of Hamburg (Landgericht Hamburg), concerning the company’s online advertising of their gas as “100% climate neutral.” The Plaintiff argued that the information provided was insufficient because consumers were not given a sufficiently detailed explanation of the contribution made by individual compensation mechanisms and projects.

On January 25, 2024, the Regional Court dismissed the lawsuit, finding that the advertising was lawful because it clearly communicates that the claimed climate neutrality is achieved through offsetting/compensation. The court explained that the company was not required to provide an exhaustive description of every individual compensation project or a detailed breakdown of the respective contribution of different measures directly in the advertisement.

On February 26, 2025, the Higher Regional Court of Hamburg (Oberlandesgericht Hamburg) upheld the lower court’s decision.

vzbv v. Vattenfall GmbH (Advertising climate-neutral gas via CO2 compensation)

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vzbv v. Vattenfall GmbH (Advertising climate-neutral gas via CO2 compensation) - decision

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Area of the economy in which actors engage in identical or related activities.

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Actions to reduce emissions in energy generation and supply.

Fossil gas, commonly known as natural gas, is a fossil fuel consisting chiefly of methane with smaller amounts of other hydrocarbons and trace gases, found in underground deposits.

Any compulsory, unrequited payment to the government levied on corporations or individuals. This can be for environmental reasons, such as introducing a Carbon tax to set a price that emitters must pay for the greenhouse gases they emit.

The activities of industries involved in the production, distribution, and sale of energy, including electricity, gas, and renewables.

This sector creates and distributes information and entertainment through television, radio, print, and digital platforms.

vzbv v. Vattenfall GmbH (Advertising climate-neutral gas via CO2 compensation) - decision

Policy instrument

Fossil fuel

Greenhouse gas

Economic sector

Finance