Credible climate communication is becoming more challenging for companies. The legal requirements for environmental and climate claims are increasing. EU Directive 2024/825, also known as the Empowering Consumers Directive (EmpCo for short), is intended to better protect consumers from misleading advertising messages and non-transparent sustainability labels. In future, such labels must, in particular, be based on a robust certification system or be established by government bodies. The regulation applies to all communications directed at consumers within the EU from 27 September 2026.
To ensure that companies can continue to communicate their commitment to climate protection in future, myclimate has further developed its existing label. In future, myclimate partners will be provided with the new myclimate label "CO₂ calculated – Carbon projects funded", a tool that enables them to communicate in a credible, transparent manner that is aligned with the EmpCo Directive. It transparently demonstrates that a greenhouse gas balance sheet has been drawn up for a company, a product, an event or a service, and that myclimate has provided financial support for climate protection projects in line with that balance sheet. The underlying myclimate certification system ensures that an external and independent specialist organisation monitors and audits compliance with the system, the accounting process and the project financing.
The label deliberately avoids making general environmental claims. Instead, it clearly describes the combination of greenhouse gas emissions accounting and the financing of climate protection projects. Financing climate protection is not presented as a reduction or offset of a company’s own emissions. This allows companies to demonstrate their additional commitment.
“Companies want to take responsibility and be able to talk about it. The new legal framework provides clear and verifiable rules for this. Our new label combines both: it makes comprehensive climate commitment visible and offers companies the opportunity to stand out from the competition through transparent, credible climate communication in line with the directive,” says Sven Focken-Kremer, Senior Project Manager for Public Affairs & Strategic Communication at myclimate and responsible for the launch of the new label "CO₂ calculated – Carbon projects funded".
The basis for awarding the label is a greenhouse gas inventory compiled in accordance with recognised scientific standards. Corporate inventories are based on the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, whilst product inventories are based on relevant ISO standards. The assessment is either carried out by myclimate or, if an external assessment is available, checked by myclimate against the requirements of the label system. This is followed by a separate audit by an independent certification body.
The supported climate protection projects must also meet myclimate’s quality requirements. These include an internal due diligence check as well as validation, registration and regular verification in accordance with recognised external standards such as the Gold Standard or Plan Vivo.
To ensure additional transparency, each label is assigned a unique tracking number and a QR code. Via a publicly accessible page, interested parties can trace what the label refers to, the period for which it is valid and which climate protection projects are supported.
With the new label, myclimate is further developing the Impact Label introduced in 2023. Its tracking number already provided transparency regarding the calculated emissions and the climate protection projects supported.
The new certification programme goes a step further: it defines uniform requirements for accounting, documentation, independent auditing, certification and communication. This provides companies with a transparent process and a reliable basis for showcasing their climate commitment, building trust and distinguishing themselves in the market through credible action.
The "CO₂ calculated – Carbon projects funded” label will be available from 27 September for companies, sites, business units, products, services and events.
