The German Environmental Aid (DUH) has achieved a significant victory in the legal dispute against TUI Cruises before the Hamburg Regional Court. The court prohibited the cruise company from continuing to advertise with the statement "2050 Decarbonized Cruise Operation (Net zero)." The DUH's lawsuit was directed against allegedly misleading sustainability promises, which, according to the consumer protection organization, could potentially deceive customers.

The court's ruling is considered groundbreaking, as it is the first to address a promotional promise whose fulfillment lies in the distant future. The DUH views the judgment as an important step in the fight against greenwashing, where companies present unrealistic or far-off environmental goals to improve their image.

TUI Cruises, a joint venture of TUI AG and the American company Royal Caribbean Cruises, expressed disappointment with the verdict. A company spokesperson told Dow Jones Newswires that they would review the court's reasoning and then decide on a possible appeal. At the same time, he emphasized that the company would adhere to its "Sustainability Strategy 2030" and ambitious climate goals.

With the ruling, the Hamburg Regional Court sets a precedent against vague and potentially misleading environmental claims in advertising, especially in relation to long-term goals that are currently difficult to verify.