Many people want to take responsibility for their emissions. This is the conclusion reached by Stiftung Warentest Finanzen and describes the options available to air travellers, for example, to "reduce" the climate damage caused. A lot has happened in this "compensation market" in recent years. The magazine confirms what myclimate customers have known since the introduction of the Impact Label in 2022: The carbon offset market has evolved. This is one of the reasons why myclimate no longer uses the terms "climate neutrality" or "offsetting". Instead, the focus is more than ever on the impact - which continues to benefit people and the climate.
Stiftung Warentest emphasises benefits beyond climate protection
The authors of the magazine see this effect particularly in the support of high-quality climate protection projects that benefit the local population and biodiversity as well as the climate. The magazine mentions the myclimate projects biogas plants in India and the solar projects in Ethiopia and Kenya, which improve the education of children and the food situation, among other things. When financing such projects in return for air travel, there is "[...] nothing wrong with supporting climate projects - whether as compensation or help for other countries to achieve their climate targets." For this reason, myclimate offers various emissions calculators: From flying to companies to events, there is a wide range on offer.
"Private capital" important for climate protection
Stiftung Warentest emphasises the importance of private financing with a quote from Andreas Nieter, expert in climate financing at GIZ (German Society for International Cooperation): "The climate targets cannot be achieved with public funds alone. Private capital is also needed."
myclimate has already proven several times that this approach makes a significant difference. Together with private individuals and companies, myclimate was able to finance around 3.5 million tonnes of CO2 savings in 2023, for example. This corresponds to almost 8 per cent of Switzerland's domestic emissions in 2022.
Non-profit instead of business
Stiftung Warentest emphasises that in addition to non-profit providers such as myclimate, profit-oriented organisations are also active on the market. For myclimate, being a non-profit organisation is a matter of course and a guarantee that climate protection and not profit takes centre stage. When asked about the past criticism of some providers of climate protection financing, Sven Focken-Kremer, Head of Marketing & Communication at myclimate Germany, emphasises the demand for more regulation on the market "in order to restore trust in reputable climate projects". He responded to the editorial team in full:
"You have to be honest about it: It remains difficult for both consumers and companies to filter out serious projects. The VCM has grown strongly in recent years. That's initially good news for the climate. On the other hand, it has also brought many providers onto the market, often with a professional focus, some of whom offer dubious projects or project types. We have therefore drafted an open position paper calling for stricter regulation."
myclimate welcomes the debate on the topic. Sven Focken-Kremer from myclimate continues: "We have always been in favour of a scientifically objective debate on climate protection projects. In our opinion, this was not always honoured last year. This is to the detriment of the climate and the people and companies that support high-quality projects above and beyond their regulatory obligations. That's why I'm pleased to see the substantive debate in this article.
