Particle.news
Download on the App Store

DUH Sues State-Owned Rothaus Over 'Climate-Positive 2030' Ads

The case could set a bar for how companies substantiate climate claims in advertising.

Overview

  • Deutsche Umwelthilfe filed its complaint at the Waldshut-Tiengen regional court, alleging consumer deception and an unfair competitive advantage.
  • DUH says posters touting “Klimapositiv 2030” link via QR code to a webpage that fails to explain how the target would be achieved.
  • Rothaus rejects the accusations, citing ISO 14001 and 50001 systems, participation in regional climate initiatives, and reported CO₂ cuts of about two thirds since 2008.
  • The brewery lists measures including fleet electrification, rooftop solar, use of green electricity, and a wastewater treatment upgrade said to save roughly 270 tonnes of CO₂ per year.
  • Rothaus is wholly owned by the state of Baden-Württemberg but operates as an independent joint‑stock company, and no court decision has been issued yet.