Response to articles in The Guardian and other media on the study “Pervasive over-crediting from cookstove offset methodologies” by Gill-Wiehl et al., published in the journal Nature Sustainability in January 2024.
Zurich, 29/01/2024 – myclimate has analysed the study published in Nature Sustainability by Gill-Wiehl, Kammen, and Haya on the effectiveness of cookstove projects and the integrity of the emission reduction certificates issued for them. Although myclimate expressly welcomes new research approaches aimed at improving project quality, the climate protection organisation based in Zurich regrets the simplified presentation of the projects and the fundamental methodological shortcomings of the study. The results of the study, which assume a massive over-crediting of cookstove projects, are therefore not considered acceptable by myclimate.
The Impact of Flying – myclimate has Updated the Flight Calculator
Monday, 27th of November 2023 - myclimate has expanded and updated its online flight calculator. For around twenty years, climate interested people have been able to calculate the climate impact of air travel free of charge using the platform at co2.myclimate.org, and, if they wish to do so, finance climate protection projects at a level that matches the impact calculated. In addition to updating all emissions factors and validating data and the calculation model, the latest version includes a new seat class, the option to select from the ten most common aircraft types and an adjustment to the weighting of the short-term effects of “non-CO2” impacts.
myclimate introduces an innovative new collective management structure
Zurich, 22 August 2023 – myclimate has today announced plans to introduce a new leadership structure. From October, the seven members of the existing Management Committee will jointly take charge of the Zurich-based foundation for climate protection. In doing so, they will take over from the current CEO, Stephen Neff, who is leaving myclimate of his own volition. The Foundation Board of myclimate has given its blessing to this forward-looking model.
Climate protection campaign confronts influencers with their travel habits
The jet set life of influencers and the excessive air travel that comes with it are responsible for hugely climate damaging emissions. Now a large-scale climate protection campaign is confronting public figures with this fact – on their own channels. Climate protection organisation myclimate is launching an intelligent bot to make it happen. It scans flights worldwide to generate social media commentary and the first influencer CO2 ranking.
ITB: Climate Protection Organisation Presents Tourism Awards for Sustainability
For the first time since 2019, myclimate attended the ITB travel trade show in Berlin in person. As in previous years, the climate protection organisation presented the myclimate Tourism Awards to pioneers in tourism, honouring climate-friendly and economically successful tourism offerings and initiatives. This year, Davos, the island of Sylt and the Accor hotel group were recognised as pioneers for their achievements. At the awards ceremony, Fritz Lietsch, editor of the magazine forum Nachhaltig Wirtschaften; Christian Baumgartner, lecturer in tourism at the University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons; and Andreas Stoffel, deputy head of marketing and sales at Destination Davos Klosters, discussed the possibilities of avoiding and reducing emissions in the tourism industry with myclimate expert Cornelia Rutishauser.
myclimate Launches First Climate Protection Label in German-Speaking World in Compliance with Paris Agreement
With the entry into force of the Paris Agreement, the private carbon market became subject to new rules, which are leading to greater international transparency in climate protection. These are designed to prevent emissions reductions being credited to more than one actor. However, there have been delays in the implementation of the mechanisms necessary for putting these into practice, meaning the acquisition of certificates of “climate neutrality” is currently not possible. In light of this, myclimate has pioneered an alternative approach and is the first non-profit climate protection organisation in the German-speaking world to launch a new impact label: “Engaged for Impact”. The new label is fully compliant with the amended framework conditions of the Paris Agreement and offers companies and private individuals a contemporary and, most importantly, immediately accessible alternative for voluntary climate protection – complete with the option to track funding contributions.
Twenty years of commitment to the climate – myclimate presents its 2021 Annual Report
The total revenue of the myclimate climate protection foundation increased significantly in the 2021 financial year. The Annual Report shows total revenue of around 45 million Swiss francs. In particular, the business area of offsetting for voluntary and mandatory markets made a significant contribution to our record performance, with more than 3.7 million tonnes of CO2 offset. The Zurich-based foundation presented its business balance for 2021 in the Annual Report published today.
With the “myclimate Davos Climate Fund” and the launch in French-speaking Switzerland, the success story of myclimate’s “Cause We Care” continues.
Despite the problems caused by the coronavirus pandemic over the last two years, more and more businesses in the tourism industry are wanting to offer their guests and customers the option to enjoy climate-neutral trips and tourism services. In 2021 alone, 27 companies implemented myclimate’s “Cause We Care” programme for sustainability in tourism. That means the “Cause We Care” network now extends to 95 partners with more than 130 businesses. One of the biggest new joiners is the tourist destination of Davos with the “myclimate Davos Climate Fund”. In western Switzerland, too, myclimate’s partner ecoLive was able to bring on board many new “Cause We Care” partners.
ALDI SUISSE and myclimate agree on an education partnership
Since the start of 2022, ALDI SUISSE has been supporting the myclimate education project “Energy and Climate Pioneers 2.0”. Together with representatives of the public sector, foundations and lottery funds, ALDI SUISSE is helping to ensure that across the nation up to 10,000 schoolchildren in grades 5 to 9 of Swiss primary schools discover in a hands-on way how they themselves can make an effective contribution to mitigating climate change. ALDI SUISSE’s commitment here is to last several years.
“Shape Your Trip” and “hereandhappy” – Young People Design Travel Experiences
With its two educational programmes “Shape Your Trip” and “hereandhappy”, myclimate is committed to providing sustainable, climate-friendly, but also attractive travel experiences for young people. The “Shape Your Trip” project now also uses digital resources to create in-depth knowledge of the correlation between travel and climate protection among young adults. In the “Shape Your Trip” travel competition, participants can submit their own contributions again this year and win support from the project partners for the implementation of sustainable travel. The “hereandhappy” project has seen ten Swiss schools develop their own offer and marketing concepts for leisure activities in Switzerland.
myclimate and swiss unihockey Launch CO₂ Calculator for Clubs
swiss unihockey is now offering the clubs in the association the opportunity to get involved in effective climate protection. As a sustainability partner, myclimate has developed a web calculator that can be used to calculate a floorball club’s CO₂ emissions and, if desired, offset them in myclimate carbon offset projects. The application, which was initiated together with the Bern Capitals club, fits in with the association’s major goal of saving 50% CO₂ emissions at this year’s World Cup in Switzerland compared to the 2018 World Cup in the Czech Republic.
myclimate launches in Austria with Christof Fuchs
Since January 2022, myclimate has been officially represented in Austria as myclimate gGmbH. In the shape of Christof Fuchs, MBA, myclimate has appointed an experienced manager as Managing Director with a penchant for sustainability. Working from Vienna, he will support both companies and private customers and will coordinate the development of the brand and the climate protection offering.
New Board Members for myclimate
The myclimate Foundation Board welcomes two new members. Kathrin Scherer and Fredi Gmür are now members of myclimate’s strategic management committee with immediate effect. At the same time, myclimate co-founder, Sabine Perch-Nielsen is ending her many years of participation as a Board member.
21Shares Announces Plan to Become FullyCarbon Neutral by 2022
Amun Holdings Limited, owner of 21Shares AG (“21Shares”) and Amun Inc., today announced a three-phase plan to become fully carbon neutral by 2022. Since its launch, 21Shares has emphasized the importance of environmental , social, and corporate governance (ESG) responsibility while making the cryptocurrency market more accessible and inclusive to everyone. 21Shares’ wide array of exchange-traded products (ETPs) has enabled greater access to market participants and this announcement marks the first step in achieving its ESG goals.
Davos wants to become Switzerland’s first climate-neutral holiday resort by 2030
Davos is setting out to be Switzerland’s first climate-neutral holiday resort by 2030. To this end, guests and businesses are joining up to fund the myclimate Climate Fund Davos, which supports climate projects in the town. It is run by the destination organisation, the municipality and Foundation myclimate.
Making Corporate Climate Protection Happen – myclimate Publishes Annual Report
Zurich, 11th May 2021 – myclimate is today publishing its annual results for 2020. The Swiss climate protection foundation's three business areas – Education, Consulting and Solutions, and Carbon Offsetting – generated total income of 27.8 million francs in 2020, an increase over the previous year. One particularly encouraging factor is that widespread uncertainty did not prevent companies, organisations or individuals offsetting around two million tonnes of CO2 with myclimate in a single year. This translates into an increase of around 500,000 tonnes compared to the previous record-setting year.
myclimate awards pioneering companies in sustainable tourism at ITB Berlin NOW
Zurich/Reutlingen/Berlin, 11 March 2021 - myclimate, a long-standing provider of sustainable and climate-friendly solutions for companies in the travel industry, has awarded four companies with the myclimate Awards at ITB Berlin NOW 2021. The international non-profit organisation with Swiss roots honours climate-friendly and economically successful offers in tourism. The 2021 winners are the travel provider Kilroy from Copenhagen, the Cervo Mountain Resort from Zermatt, the destination My Leukerbad AG and the newly founded bus travel provider Pinkbus from Germany. Before the awards ceremony, myclimate hosted a panel discussion.
Are electric cars more eco-friendly? – myclimate presents its new car calculator
Zurich, 3 November 2020 – myclimate gives its customers the opportunity to calculate the climatic effects of various activities and to offset them through myclimate carbon offset projects, via its own website at co2.myclimate.org. Using existing emissions data and with the addition of further drive technologies and fuels, myclimate has now brought its new calculator for car journeys right up to date. The newly included category for electric cars now shows the lowest figures. The calculator for cruises has also been updated.
Swisscom becomes climate-neutral company
Zurich, 26 August 2020 – Swisscom has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by more than 80% over the past decades. The telecommunications company offsets its unavoidable emissions in full via myclimate. This means that Swisscom is now a climate-neutral company.
The times they are a changing’ – myclimate declares record figures
Zurich, 25 May 2020 – The Swiss climate protection foundation myclimate is today publishing its annual results for 2019. Total income from the three business areas – Education, Consulting and Solutions, and Carbon Offsetting – have increased significantly on the previous year. In 2019, this was more than 27 million francs. One-and-a-half million tonnes of CO2 have been offset by companies, organisations and private individuals. This corresponds to an increase of 50 percent on the previous record year. In view of stagnating political climate protection efforts and in consideration of the current coronavirus situation, myclimate CEO Stephen Neff is advocating even stronger economical, societal and political collaboration, to master climate change and other challenges of our time.
myclimate and the International Floorball Federation join forces
Zurich, 19th of May - Sustainability and climate protection has become a topic that sport cannot overlook these days. It has been a part of International Floorball Federations (IFF) work in the past, but starting from 2019, the federation has included sustainability as an integral part of its activities. myclimate has agreed to help the IFF become a leading sports federation to drive the change.
How much CO₂ is emitted during a flight? – myclimate has updated the online flight calculator
Zurich, 14 August 2019 – myclimate gives its customers the opportunity to calculate emissions generated by flights and to offset these via carbon offset projects on the platform at co2.myclimate.org. Using current data from the aviation industry and with adjustments to the methodology in line with international norms, myclimate has now brought this service up to date. Current studies also corroborate myclimate’s calculation and evaluation of the climate-averse effects of aviation, which are not directly linked to CO₂ emissions.
Turning Point in Climate Protection? The myclimate foundation registers strong growth in the area of voluntary carbon offsetting in its annual report
Zurich, 20 June 2019 – The Swiss climate protection foundation myclimate today published its 2018 annual report. The total income from the three business areas Education, Consulting and Solutions as well as Offsetting totalled more than 20 million francs for the first time. Income grew by more than 40 percent compared to 2017. For the first time in the foundation’s 17-year history, over a million tonnes of CO₂ emission were offset with myclimate. The increase in offsetting by private customers is also impressive. Carbon offsetting and climate protection contributions via the freely accessible CO₂ calculator increased by 70 percent in 2018 compared to the record year of 2017.
Stephen Neff Appointed New Managing Director of myclimate
Zurich, 3 September 2018 – The Swiss foundation myclimate has a new Managing Director. Stephen Neff brings with him more than fifteen years of management experience from companies focused on energy and innovative, sustainable technologies.
Successful year for climate protection – the myclimate Foundation board presents record turnover in the 2017 annual report
Zurich, 29 May 2018 – The Swiss climate protection foundation myclimate has published its annual report for 2017 today. In doing so, myclimate is looking back at its most successful financial year since the Foundation was established. The earnings have risen to more than 14 million Swiss francs (CHF). Last year, more than 800,000 tons of CO₂ have been offset with myclimate. In Switzerland, strong partnerships, including with Migros and Coop, as well as a further rise in interest amongst private individuals, have contributed to this great result. In addition, the myclimate "cause we care" campaign which is starting to sustainably change Swiss tourism was launched. Internationally, myclimate advanced its positioning thanks to attractive partnerships and opportunities. Since it was founded, myclimate has been able to mobilise 100 million Swiss francs for climate protection projects.
myclimate is participating in the Climate Conference in Bonn
Zurich/Bonn, 6 November – Monday, 6 November, the 23rd World Climate Conference (COP 23) will begin in Bonn. Until 17 November, international climate policy and the implementation of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change will be discussed and negotiated. myclimate is an accredited observer organisation in Bonn and will participate in various events.
Press release – A Turnaround with Records – myclimate Publishes its Annual Report 2016
Zurich, 29 June 2017 – The Swiss climate protection foundation myclimate today published its 2016 annual report. Overall in 2016, around 725,000 tonnes of CO₂ were offset by companies and private individuals through myclimate climate protection projects. This is an absolute record value. The fact that far more climate protection would be possible without any problems is proven by the myclimate climate protection projects, which also delivered new record results and positive news for worldwide climate protection in 2016. myclimate's educational activities were able to continue their growth trend and to celebrate premieres.
The airline industry's climate protection deal
Zurich, 7th October 2016 – myclimate criticises the climate protection deal reached today by the international aviation industry. "The concept of 'climate-neutral growth' from the ICAO CORSIA (Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation) agreement is an enormous missed opportunity. In light of climate change, global emissions goals and the economic situation, the best approach would be to fully offset the 800 million tons of CO₂ that aircraft release into the atmosphere annually. And with 100 billion additional dollars in their pockets, this is something the industry could do", says myclimate Managing Director René Estermann.
Impetus from Paris? – myclimate Publishes Annual Report 2015
Zurich, 13 July 2016 – The Swiss climate protection foundation myclimate today published its 2015 annual report. The outstanding initial situation as a result of record low energy prices is not reflected in the foundation's operating result. The strong results of the divisions Consulting & Solutions and Climate Education as well as the operating result of the subsidiary myclimate Deutschland do not completely offset the decline in compensated tonnes. Overall in 2015, 550,000 tonnes of CO₂ were compensated by companies and private individuals with myclimate climate protection projects. In 2015, these delivered further record results and positive news for global climate protection.
Tourism and climate protection – a blue ribbon panel on the consequences of the Paris Climate Agreement and the Tourism Awards
Zürich/Reutlingen, 1 March 2016 – 195 countries have agreed to limit climate change in the Paris Agreement reached at the climate conference in Paris. The change to a more climate friendly society will also not spare tourism. The specific effects on the international tourism industry will be the focus of myclimate's trade fair presence at the 2016 ITB. Fritz Lietsch, Editor in Chief of the Sustainable Business Forum, will moderate a blue ribbon discussion panel from 2 pm on 10 March on the small stage in Hall 4.1. Following the discussion, suppliers and service providers who have undertaken pioneering steps towards climate protection will be lauded with the myclimate Awards for tourism trailblazers.
myclimate projects receive honours at the COP21
Zürich/Paris, 11. Dezember 2015 –The Secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) awarded a total of sixteen activities focussing on climate protection, sustainable development and clean technology at the COP21 in Paris. The projects are named “Game Changing Climate Lighthouse Activities”. Among these are two projects for which myclimate provided significant support.
Shaping the Future – myclimate Publishes the 2014 Annual Report
Zurich, 18 June 2015 – The Swiss climate protection foundation myclimate today pub-lished its 2014 annual report. Contrary to general developments on the market, mycli-mate was able to report growth with respect to the amount of CO₂ offset in tonnes. Companies, institutions and private individuals offset more than 620,000 tonnes of CO₂ via myclimate last year. The Advice & Solutions and Climate Education business areas saw strong growth in the past year. Dr Urs Egger is to be the new President of the myclimate Foundation Board.
The myclimate Foundation Returns to Its Roots
Zurich, 18 May 2015 – The climate protection organisation myclimate is moving. As of the middle of June, the charitable foundation will have new headquarters in western Zurich. Its approximately 50 employees are moving to Pfingstweidstrasse in the newly constructed Forum Z. At the same time, the foundation is also changing its logo.
The Swiss Federal Office of Energy and Swisscom commit to the Energy and Climate Pioneers Initiative
As of today, the SwissEnergy programme, the national action programme of the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE), is supporting the Climate Pioneers Initiative and by doing so is enhancing the role of energy in the school syllabus. More than 11,000 Swiss schoolchildren have so far been involved in the initiative launched by Swisscom in collaboration with partners myclimate and Solar Impulse. Schoolchildren have learned about the interplay between climate, global warming and human behaviour and have been able to channel the knowledge gained into their very own climate protection project.
Harvest Time – myclimate Publishes the 2013 Annual Report
Zurich, 25 June 2014 – The Swiss climate protection foundation myclimate today published its annual report for 2013. In terms of the sale of CO₂ offsets, myclimate has maintained its growth rate and once again saw an increase by around 100,000 tonnes of CO₂. Over the last year, companies, institutions and private individuals have offset more than 600,000 tonnes of CO₂ via myclimate. But the CO₂ reductions achieved in the projects are increasing even faster than the CO₂ offsets sold. In the 76 global myclimate climate protection projects in 30 countries, 860,000 tonnes of CO₂ have effectively been saved over the same period. The foundation’s total revenue, including the areas of Climate Education and Carbon Management Services, amounted to over 12.7 million Swiss francs in 2013.
myclimate and Yunus Social Business launch "Social Business Climate Innovation Fund"
Zurich/Kuala Lumpur, 08.11.2013 – Yesterday, on the occasion of the Global Social Business Summit in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Swiss climate protection foundation myclimate and Yunus Social Business launched the "Social Business Climate Innovation Fund". Its aim is to support social businesses worldwide, which demonstrably protect the environment.
Growth in all Areas – Climate Protection Foundation myclimate Publishes its Annual Report 2012
Zurich, 13 June 2013 – The Zurich climate protection foundation myclimate today published its Annual Report for 2012. myclimate posted growth in all three areas: CO₂ Compensation, Carbon Management Services and Climate Education. At 13.5 million francs, the total income of the non-profit-oriented organisation hit a new record mark. With two million tons of CO₂ reductions sold since its establishment in 2002, myclimate was also able to reach a further milestone in 2013. In 2012, the Annual Report will be published in an interactive online format for the first time.
UpEnergy and myclimate Strike Deal to Fund the Manufacture and Sale of Efficient Household Cookstoves in El Salvador
San Francisco, USA and Zürich, Switzerland. (March 19, 2012) – Up Energy Group, Inc. (UpEnergy), a social enterprise that distributes and sells efficient household energy products in the developing world at affordable prices by leveraging carbon finance, and the myclimate Foundation (myclimate), a leading provider of high-quality carbon compensation products and services, have partnered to sell efficient household cookstoves to underserved, poor communities in El Salvador.
The stoves being sold decrease wood consumption by about 50% and significantly reduce indoor air pollution, a leading cause of death and disease in El Salvador.
